Russia is making waves in the maritime sector with the completion of its first domestically built LNG carrier, the Aleksey Kosygin. Constructed at the Zvezda shipyard near Vladivostok, this vessel, which kicked off its sea trials on December 25, 2024, marks a significant milestone in Russia’s efforts to bolster its shipbuilding capabilities. Expected to enter service by early 2025, the Aleksey Kosygin is part of the Arctic LNG 2 project, aiming to tap into the rich natural gas reserves of the Arctic region.
However, this ambitious initiative is not without its hurdles. The project has faced significant pushback from Western nations, particularly due to sanctions that have disrupted logistics and construction schedules. Originally, Arctic LNG 2 aimed to deploy a fleet of 21 specialized Arc7 LNG carriers designed to navigate the icy Northern Sea Route year-round. These vessels are engineered to handle ice up to 1.7 meters thick, and the Aleksey Kosygin, measuring a robust 300 meters in length and 48.8 meters in width, is equipped with a powerful 45MW propulsion system that allows it to operate independently in extreme Arctic conditions.
Yet, the road to completion has been rocky. None of the 21 vessels have been delivered according to the original timeline, and the construction of the Aleksey Kosygin relied heavily on international collaboration. South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries initially took the lead in building the hull and other complex sections before sending them to Zvezda for final assembly in 2021. French firm GTT contributed the gas membrane systems, while European companies like MAN and Wartsila supplied essential propulsion components. However, as sanctions tightened, Samsung’s contract to deliver 15 hulls was canceled in 2024, leaving only five hulls completed and the remaining three in various stages of construction.
The next vessel, Pyotr Stolypin, is poised to follow suit, yet it too is shackled by the withdrawal of Western suppliers. Both ships, along with the Zvezda shipyard, are currently under U.S. sanctions, which complicates the situation further. Russia is keen to reduce its dependence on foreign nations for shipbuilding components. The Segezha Group has stepped up, producing tanker plywood for insulation panels in LNG carriers, which has already found its way into Chinese shipyards. This is a silver lining, but critical components for the unfinished carriers remain elusive.
GTT’s exit from Russia in January 2023, following EU sanctions, has thrown a wrench into the plans for the remaining vessels. The future of the Aleksey Kosygin and its sister ships hangs in the balance, spotlighting the broader implications of geopolitical tensions on global maritime operations.
As Russia pushes forward with its domestic shipbuilding ambitions, the maritime industry must grapple with the ramifications of such developments. Will this lead to a self-sufficient shipbuilding sector in Russia, or will the lack of access to critical technology stymie progress? The maritime world is watching closely, as the outcomes here could reshape supply chains and alliances in the industry for years to come.
