ABB systems picked for Yamal ARC7 LNG carriers

JUNE 17, 2014 — ABB is supply electrical power and propulsion systems for the first of up to 16 LNG carriers being built to transport LNG from the Yamal peninsula in Northwest Siberia to Asia and Europe. The 17,000 cu.m LNG carriers are being built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), in South Korea.

A consortium of partners, headed by Russian gas producer Novatek, have joined the Yamal project to open up gas from the Yamal peninsula, which is located inside the Arctic Circle and locked in ice for most of the year.

Sovcomflot placed the $300 million order for the first of the Yamal LNG carriers with DSME earlier this year, following the signing by the shipbuilder last year of a slot reservation agreement covering all 16 ships.

Designed for operation in ambient temperatures of up to minus 50°C and independent navigation in ice more than 2.1 meters thick, they will be built with an icebreaking capability of ARC 7 on an ice-class scale that goes up to 9.

Shipments will be made to Asia via the Northern Sea Route in summer months resulting in substantially reduced delivery times when compared to transit via traditional routes, as well as cutting fuel consumption and ship fuel emissions.

ABB’s scope of supply includes turbochargers, generators, switchboards, transformers, electric drives, propulsion control and Azipod propulsion units.