Russian gas producer Novatek is seeking permission to order 10 new Arc7 LNG carriers worth $3bn at overseas shipyards.
The company fears Russia's new far east shipyard Zvezda will not be able to build them fast enough for use from 2023 and 2024 at its new Arctic LNG 2 project.
The Kommersant daily cited a letter from Novatek CEO Leonid Mikhelson to Russian president Vladimir Putin asking to be allowed to head abroad for vessels.
