Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier makes first call at Japan
- Northern Sea Route Voyage from Yamal, Russia to Japan -

July 27, 2020

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL: President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced that the Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier "Vladimir Rusanov", which is jointly owned and operated by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited for the Yamal LNG project(*1), made its first call at the LNG Terminal in Ohgishima, located inside Tokyo Bay in Japan, on 23rd July. This is historically the first time an Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier(*2) has called at Japan.

The vessel started sailing from the Yamal LNG plant at Sabetta port on 29thJune,and transported its LNG cargo to Japan by sailing eastwards along the Northern Sea Route via the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea, the East Bering Sea, the Chukchi sea, and the Bering Strait. Although the ice in the Northern Sea Route generally melts in the period from the end of June to the beginning of July, during the time the vessel was navigating this region some ice remained, particularly in the East Bering Sea. The vessel either avoided sailing through or conducted ice-breaking navigation in areas where ice remained, which resulted in approximately 7 days (15 knots average navigation speed) navigation through the Northern Sea Route from Sabetta port to the Bering strait.

Transportation from the Russian Arctic through the Northern Sea Route contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as the required navigation distance is 65% shorter than that via the Suez Canal. Additionally, energy transportation through the Northern Sea Route enables Asian countries, including Japan who relies on natural energy imports, to develop a new energy supply route.

MOL continues to work assiduously in its contribution for stable LNG transportation from the Yamal LNG plant, accumulating a deeper knowledge and understanding of vessel operations using the Northern Sea Route（*3） to facilitate new Arctic projects in the future.

(*1) For details, please refer to the 29 March, 2018 press release:
Ice-Breaking LNG Carrier "Vladimir Rusanov" for Yamal LNG Project Started the First Loading Operation in the Yamal LNG Plant at Sabetta Port

(*2) For technical details of the ice-breaking vessel, please see below.

1. Double-Acting LNG carrier	Maximum Ice-Breaking Capability : 2.1m(Astern)
2. Ice-strengthened Hull Structure	Hull weight increased by 25%, 70 mm ice knife plate thickness, Low temp steel, Ice paint
3. Engine room design	Complete double hull construction, Two engine rooms (center bulkhead), Sea water intake (ice sea chest)
4. Navigation Bridge (Navigation station)	Dual bridge stations (fully enclosed type), Polar specification navigation unit (ice radar, high luminance searchlight, infrared camera, iridium wireless communication equipment, etc.)
5. Winterization in Living Quarters	3 heating systems, sauna, heated pool
6. Winterization on Deck	Semi enclosed mooring space, Electric driven, Heat tracing, De-icing
7. Life Saving Equipment	Polar design Lifesaving equipment, Survival Kits

(*3) For details, please refer to the 7 June, 2019 press release:
New challenge on development of Northern Sea Route Transportation