Russia’s Arc7 LNG Carrier Alexey Kosygin Completes First Arctic LNG Delivery

Russia’s Arc7 ice-class LNG carrier Alexey Kosygin has completed its first delivery of liquefied natural gas.

The vessel delivered LNG to the Saam floating storage unit (FSU) in Ura Bay near Murmansk in early February after loading cargo from Arctic LNG 2 on the Gydan Peninsula.

The delivery confirms that Russia is continuing to develop winter-capable LNG transhipment operations in the Arctic.

The entry of Alexey Kosygin into service supports Novatek’s plan to maintain a four-day turnaround between the Arc7 carriers Christophe de Margerie and Alexey Kosygin.

This is intended to ease winter logistics by allowing regular shuttle operations between the Gulf of Ob and Murmansk.

Built at the Zvezda shipyard in Russia with technical cooperation from Samsung Heavy Industries, the vessel was commissioned in December 2025.

It sailed from Bolshoy Kamen in the Russian Far East along the Northern Sea Route to reach Arctic LNG 2, before continuing to the Barents Sea.

Its operator Sovcomflot reported that the ship carried out preliminary trials of independent ice navigation during the voyage.

According to the company, the vessel demonstrated stronger ice performance than earlier Arc7 LNG carriers that previously served the Yamal LNG project.

Alexey Kosygin is now operating within the Arctic LNG 2 logistics system, in which ice-class LNG carriers transport cargoes from the liquefaction plant to Murmansk.

From there, LNG is transferred to conventional tankers for onward delivery to overseas markets, avoiding European ports.

While the first delivery improves short-term winter operations, Russia’s LNG export strategy faces increasing challenges.

A European Union ban on LNG imports from Russia is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027. This is expected to force Novatek to send cargoes on longer routes to Asian markets and to destinations such as Turkey and Egypt, increasing overall shipping distances.

Analysts estimate that Novatek may need between 32 and 40 additional conventional or low ice-class LNG carriers, depending on whether vessels use the Suez Canal or sail around South Africa.

At present, Arctic LNG 2 is supported by a mixed fleet of nine conventional and low ice-class LNG carriers, with one vessel being converted into a floating storage and regasification unit.

Even with two Arc7 vessels now in service, analysts believe the current fleet will not be sufficient to support exports beyond 2026.

Looking ahead, Novatek may need to increase its effective LNG carrier capacity by up to 50 vessels to maintain output from both Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 through the winter of 2027.

This would be required in a global market where LNG shipping capacity remains tight.

Further difficulties are emerging from restrictions on maritime services. A pending UK ban could limit access to shipyards, while French yard Damen has reportedly stopped dry-dock work on Arc7 vessels.

This leaves Denmark’s Fayard AS as the only European yard able to carry out major maintenance.

In addition, some equipment suppliers have restricted the supply of spare parts unless guarantees are provided that they will not be used on Arc7 ships.

References: EA Daily, Ship Universe

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