New Supply Vessel for Sakhalin-2 Project Launched

On 30 June 2016 a new ice-breaking supply vessel (IBSV) was launched for Sovcomflot as part of a long-term agreement with Sakhalin Energy. 

This reinforced ice class vessel has deadweight of 3,000 tons and an Azipod propulsion system with a power rating of 13 MW. The ship is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2016.

This vessel is the first of four vessels ordered by Sovcomflot for operations at the Sakhalin-2 project. The other three are emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs) that have a smaller deadweight (2,000 tons), but offer enhanced functionality and can carry more passengers. The construction of all four vessels began in 2015.  

The agreement between Sovcomflot and Sakhalin Energy, signed in the spring of 2014, involves the operation of these vessels for twenty years. They are designed for the year-round delivery of personnel, supplies and consumables to three production platforms in the Okhotsk Sea. In an emergency, the vessels are also able to undertake complex environmental protection measures, and will enhance the safety of personnel based on these production platforms.

The Sakhalin-2 project includes two oil and gas fields being developed on the northeastern shelf of Sakhalin Island, namely the Piltun-Astokhskoye oil field and the Lunskoye gas field. Sovcomflot has been providing Sakhalin-2 with specialized supply vessels since 2009. The development of the project has necessitated increasing the supply vessel fleet by ordering these four additional vessels.

Sovcomflot contracted United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) to build each of these four new vessels. All are being constructed by Vyborg Shipyard and Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy, both affiliated with USC.