First Suezmax-class Tanker Takes Short Cut Along Northern Sea Route

On 20 August 2011 the tanker Vladimir Tikhonov, owned by SCF Group (Sovcomflot), started her Arctic voyage from Murmansk along the seaways of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The voyage marks the first time in the history of the NSR that such a large Suezmax tanker (more than 160,000 dwt, enhanced ice class 1A (Arc 4)) is navigating along this route.

The tanker is laden with more than 120,000 tonnes of gas condensate, belonging to the Charterer Novatek. The cargo of hydrocarbons will be delivered from the port of Murmansk to a port of discharge in one of the countries of South-East Asia. The estimated length of the voyage is less than a month. The preparation for the voyage was undertaken in coordination with Novatek.

SCF Group continues the series of Arctic voyages from the Atlantic to the Pacific along the Northern Sea Route. In August 2010 the Aframax tanker SCF Baltica, of more than 100,000 tonnes dwt, followed the same route and became the largest ship in history to navigate along the NSR.

The present voyage is aimed at studying the potential for transporting the largest possible consignment of gas condensate along the route and of providing for improved economies of scale for such voyages through larger consignments. The route goes to the North of the Novosibirsk Islands, along the deepest sea lanes. At the same time the new route is challenging in high Arctic latitudes due to the harsh ice conditions.

Technical arrangements for the voyage were carried out by SCF Unicom and by specialists from SCF’s head office. They have worked closely with the relevant State bodies responsible for: navigational issues and hydrographic support for the voyage; the safety of navigation and also the protection of the Arctic marine environment. Russia’s Ministry of Transport, the Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport, FGUP Atomflot and the Hydrographic Enterprise of the Ministry of Transport also took an active part in the preparations.

Taking account of the remote location of the Arctic route and the absence of a developed infrastructure, and adopting measures to strengthen the safety of navigation, a mobile search-and-rescue station has been equipped to fight potential oil spills. Meanwhile, diving and other specialist equipment has been deployed aboard of one of the icebreakers throughout the tanker’s voyage.

All necessary means of communication, that enables the transmission of appropriate data and technical voyage parameters from the vessel in real time, have been arranged aboard the tanker, including a Glonass system.

The ship’s crew, headed by Master Dmitry Belov, consists of 25 seafarers with significant experience of ice shipping. Ice watch has been enhanced by additional job positions. The tanker Vladimir Tikhonov is being escorted by the world’s most powerful nuclear-powered icebreakers Yamal and 50 Years of Victory.

During the voyage the icebreaking capability of these large ice-breakers will be determined using old ice conditions found in the most challenging Arctic regions; the maneuverability characteristics of the tanker whilst navigating as a part of a convoy with icebreaker escort, will also be specified. The ship’s arrival in the port of destination is being scheduled for the second part of September.

The high latitude route, along which Vladimir Tikhonov is sailing, can also be used by other ships to provide seaborne transportation for energy from Russia’s Arctic fields.