A convoy of at least four vessels is sailing through thick ice on the west-bound course through the East Siberian Sea. Conditions were described as “complex”; icebreaker assistance is needed. The Russian Arctic and Antarctic Institute said that major parts of both the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea still had up to one metre-thick ice.
It is this year’s first voyage from east to west on the Northern Sea Route. The shipping season from west to east started in late June.
Included in the west-bound convoy are cargo vessel HHL Richards Bay (IMO 9448308) and chemical tanker Baltico (IMO 9255268). The latter has delivered goods in nearby Pevek, while the former has Sabetta as destination.
On July 30th the vessels were moving from the East Siberian Sea to the Laptev Sea. Nuclear-powered icebreaker Vaygach is escorting the convoy, according to Rosatomflot.
Also in the convoy are giant ice-class 1A LNG carriers Clean Planet (IMO 9637507) and sister ship Clean Ocean (IMO 9637492), both operated by Greek company Dynagas. It is the first Arctic voyage of this kind for the tankers. For the next 15 years it will shuttle to and from the LNG terminal in Sabetta.
Late last year China Development Bank entered into a sale and leaseback deal with shipowner Dynagas over the two carriers, buying the two vessels for a reported total price of US$363.8m and leasing them back to Dynagas, (LNG World Shipping).
When operating at full capacity, the Yamal LNG will produce 16.5m tons of LNG per year. A fleet of 15 carriers will carry the LNG gas to market.
2010-built, Liberia-flagged, 17,644 gt HHL Richards Bay is owned by HHL Richards Bay care of manager Hansa Heavy Lift GmbH of Hamburg, Germany. It is entered with Skuld (Hamburg business unit) on behalf of Hansa Heavy Lift GmbH.
2003-built, Russia-flagged, 16,040 gt Baltico is named as Andrey Pervozvanniy (last reported under that name on July 3rd). It is owned by Agrotek-TM LLC care of LLC Valkur of Primorskiy Kray, Russia.
2014-built, Marshall Islands-flagged, 105,943 gt Clean Planet is owned by CDBL Planet Ltd care of manager Dynagas Ltd of Athens, Greece. It is entered with Standard Club (Mediterranean & Middle East Division) on behalf of CDBL Planet Ltd.
2014-built, Marshall Islands-flagged, 105,943 gt Clean Ocean is owned by CDBL Ocean Ltd care of manager Dynagas Ltd of Athens, Greece. It is entered with Standard Club (Mediterranean & Middle East Division) on behalf of CDBL Ocean Ltd.