Icebreaking LNG Carrier Named Vladimir Vize

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that a naming ceremony for a new icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, which was jointly ordered by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation, was held at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) on September 11.

The newbuild was named the Vladimir Vize by Irina Ershova of PAO Novatek, the major shareholder in the Yamal LNG project. The name was chosen in honor of the Russian Arctic explorer and oceanologist.

The Vladimir Vize is the sister vessel of the Vladimir Rusanov, which started transport service at the end of March 2018 under a long-term charter contract to transport LNG for the YAMAL LNG Project.

The Vladimir Vize is also scheduled to go into service for the Yamal LNG project following its delivery at the end of September, conducting icebreaking navigation without icebreaker support in the Northern Sea Route toward the Yamal LNG plant at Sabetta port in Russia.

The second train at the Yamal LNG plant started its operation in August 2018, and LNG production from the plant has been expanding steadily.

MOL sais a third and final vessel of the newbuilding series has been progressing as planned at the South Korean DSME shipyard, and the vessel is expected to be delivered fore the Yamal LNG Project next year.

Furthermore, regarding the four conventional LNG Ccrriers destined for the Yamal LNG Project announced in June 2017, construction to a high safety standard is proceeding with our project partner, China COSCO Shipping, using both internal and external supervisors. Construction of these four vessels is expected to be completed in 2019 and 2020.