Japan's MOL Names LNGC for Yamal Project

Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) September 24 held a naming ceremony at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China for a conventional LNG carrier, jointly ordered by MOL and China Cosco Shipping Corporation, it said September 25.

The vessel named LNG Dubhe will transport LNG from the Russian Yamal LNG project. It is expected to go into service by the end of next month, MOL said. 

MOL delivered three ice-breaking LNG carriers to the project between 2018 and 2019, which are currently engaged in LNG transportation in the Northern Sea Route. For the time being, LNG Dubhe will be engaged in the transport of the Yamal project's LNG from transhipment terminals in Europe or a location where ship-to-ship transfer operations are carried out, MOL said.　

MOL has been operating 10 LNG carriers built in China for other projects, and LNG Dubhe will be the 11th LNG carrier built in China in its fleet. The company said it will help ensure a stable LNG supply for the Yamal LNG project by completing the construction of four LNG carriers as scheduled.

Banner image courtesy MOL