New Arctic Tankers Built to RS Class

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has signed an agreement with South Korean yard Samsung Heavy Industries on design approval and survey under construction of a new series of 42 000 dwt Arctic shuttle oil carriers.

The new tankers are designed to complete a set of tasks of hydrocarbons transportation from Novoportovskoye field, which is situated in the north of Yamal peninsula, 30 km off the Gulf of Ob coast. The propulsion unit with two azipod azimuth thrusters and a special hull shape will enable the ships to operate year-round in harsh Arctic conditions.

The tankers are designed to break ice of 1.4m thickness at a speed of 3.5knot per hour and to withstand temperatures of minus 45 degrees Celsius. They will be classified as Arc-7, the highest standard of ice-breaking cargo ship built in Korea.

Construction will start in April 2015. The series, comprising six ships will be constructed to dual RS / LR class. Class notation: KM? Arc7 AUT1-ICS OMBO LI CCO ECO-S BWM BLS-SPM Oil tanker (ESP) CSR. 

The vessels are expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Main Particulars:

Length – 232m
Breadth – 34m
Draught – 9.5m