Gagarin Prospect Performs Ship-to-Ship LNG Bunkering
The large-capacity Aframax tanker "Gagarin Prospect", owned by Russia's SCF Group, successfully implementated construction and operation commencement using LNG as the primary fuel.Konstantin G. Palnikov, Director General of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, participated in a protocol event dedicated to this project.This pioneered the expansion of LNG fuel into the global shipping industry, for large-capacity ships not tied to fixed routes or set timetables.The specialized LNG bunkering ship Cardissa, a unit of Royal Dutch Shell, successfully performed its first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering to take place at the port of Rotterdam two weeks ago.On 15 October, in the port of Primorsk "Gagarin Prospect" carried out the first loading taking on board 104,815 tons of crude oil.
Russia Plans to Sell Sovkomflot Shares in New York
Russia hopes to place shares of shipping company Sovkomflot in New York as part of its privatisation plans, a deputy minister of transport told reporters on Friday, a move which could face resistance due to confrontation with the West over Moscow's role in Ukraine. The government plans to raise 200 billion roubles ($3.8 bln) by selling stakes in state companies this year. The plans for the year involved the sale of shares in top oil producer Rosneft , Rostelecom, Sovkomflot and sea port Novorossiisk. Viktor Olersky said that Sovkomflot's share placement may be carried out next spring on a New York stock exchange. The plans, however, could be hampered by Russia's standoff with the West.
Sovcomflot & Sakhalin Energy to Provide 3 Icebreakers for Sakhalin-2
SCF Group (Sovcomflot) and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (Sakhalin Energy) have signed a contract for the construction and long-term operation of three multifunctional icebreaking standby vessels to serve the Sakhalin-2 offshore energy platforms. The contract covers a 20 year term, during which the vessels will provide safe and reliable services for Sakhalin Energy’s platforms in the Sea of Okhotsk. The vessels will also assist with accommodation of the offshore facilities personnel. In an emergency, the vessels will help evacuate personnel from the offshore platforms and will provide oil spill response services when necessary.
Major Agreement Signed At 21st World Petroleum Congress
At the 21st World Petroleum Congress Rosneft, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Gazprom, NOVATEK, Gazprombank, Sovkomflot, United Shipbuilding Corporation signed a Joint Venture Agreement in relation to the implementation of vessel, drilling rig and marine equipment construction and design projects on the 16th of June. The document was signed in the presence of Vice-Premier Arkady Dvorkovich. It was signed by Rosneft CEO and Management Board Chairman Igor Sechin, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, Gazprom Deputy Management Board Chairman Vitaly Markelov, NOVATEK Management Board Chairman Leonid Mikhelson…
Shipbuilders DSME Not For Sale to Foreign Companies
Seoul will not sell Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to a foreign company to avoid any possible leakage of technologies reports 'Korea Times'. The response comes after a Russian consortium led by the state oil company OAO Rosneft recently expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in the world’s third-biggest shipbuilder by sales. The consortium also includes Gazprom, Russia’s state-run gas provider and Sovkomflot, Russia’s state-owned shipping company. The state-run Korea Development Bank owns a 31.46 percent stake in the Daewoo shipyard…
International Conference Unanimous That Arctic Code is Needed
The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) recently hosted a St. Petersburg international conference 'Arctic Shipping and Offshore Activities: Responding to Safety and Environmental Challenges' . The conference was attended by key figures with interests in Arctic develoment, including the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Mr Koji Sekimizu. The international maritime community is focusing on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a measure to reduce the costs as well as time of cargo transportation, the latter resulting in reduction of CO2 emissions.
Russian PSV Icebreaker Named, Yards to Build More
President Vladimir Putin names icebreaking platform supply vessel 'Vitus Bering' & Russian shipbuilders sign newbuild contracts. Modern multipurpose vessels of the Vitus Bering series will conduct year-round deliveries of personnel, goods and expendable supplies to oil production platforms. In particular, it is planned to use this type of icebreaker to ensure the smooth operation of Sakhalin-1 oil platforms in the Arkutun-Dagi field in the Sea of Okhotsk. The lead ship of the series was named after Vitus Bering, an explorer and officer in the Russian Navy.
An Energy SuperPower
Russia is an energy superpower and the country has vast and rich natural resources. Besides gas and coal reserves (some of the largest in the world), Russia today is ranked as the world’s biggest oil producing nation accounting for well over 12% of the global output. Moreover, the country exports more than 70% of its oil to the world markets. That said, Russia’s output of oil amounts to a third of what collectively the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) produces. The country has relied on oil production for decades, however there has been a notable geographical shift.
Russian Vets Attend Opening of Russian Masts on HMS Belfast
Tuesday 19 October 2010 will become historically significant and memorable day for Russia and the United Kingdom. The grand opening of new Russian masts on the legendary HMS Belfast will take place in London. The restoration project of masts began in April 2009 at Severnaya Verf shipyard in St. Petersburg. Russian veterans of the Arctic convoys from Arkhangelsk, Yuri Kopytov and Georgi Evtukov, with support from Petropavlovsk Group and VTB Capital, will arrive in London to attend the official ceremony. Masts restoration project was supported by Russian companies United Industrial Corporation, Severstal and Sovkomflot, in recognition of the heroism of the Arctic Convoys 1941-1945.
Russian Tanker Company to Develop Arctic
According to RIA Novosti, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordering the country's two largest tanker companies to be reorganized into a single corporation. The objects of the merger are 100% state-owned Sovkomflot in St. Petersburg, the country's largest tanker company by capacity, and Novoship, the second largest, in which the government owns an 87.4% stake, in Novorossiisk on the Black Sea coast. It will take nine months to complete the merger and hold an IPO. The new company will then become the fifth or possibly the third largest tanker operator in the world. Putin recently met Sovkomflot CEO and former Transport Minister Sergei Frank and said this project was largely the idea of the ministry and Frank himself.