A first tanker is taking the Northern Sea Route (NSR) eastbound indicating a start of sailings for the season through the Arctic passage.
The 41,401-dwt shuttle tanker Shturman Skuratov (built 2017) left Kola Bay in ballast on 14 June. It is unclear if it has an ice-breaker assistance.
The Arc7 tanker, which has its own ice-breaking capabilities, is listed as controlled by Russia’s Gazpromneft Shipping.
Kpler data indicates that the ship is due to arrive in the Russian Far East around 20 July.
One ship data tracker said four ice-breakers are in the vicinity and speculated that the Shturman Skuratov could be waiting for other vessels, possibly LNG carriers before moving further east.
Industry eyes are watching for the first LNG carriers to take the NSR.
The Rosatom-controlled Northern Sea Route Administration has issued permits for the existing Arc7, 15-ship LNG fleet to sail on the passage but has also included a number of other ice-strengthened LNG vessels.
There are expectations that other non-ice-class LNG ships may also be used in the region this year.
Russia has stated its ambition to start year-round sailings on the NSR, normally closed by ice from January through mid-year.
In recent years Russia has been pushing the envelope on sailings sending vessels through in late January and February and opening the season once with a May shipment.
In December 2023 Russia said that from January, gas carriers will move under ice breaker support, including during those months when they never sailed before — March, April and May.(Copyright)
