The Sovcomflot-owned was carrying a cargo of LNG from the Russian port of Sabetta to the Port of Tangshan in China. It arrived on July 31, 2018, just 18 days after beginning its voyage. During its crossing of the NSR, which ended when it reached Cape Dezhnev in the Bering Strait, it travelled at an average of 12.8 knots. The Christophe de Margerie is the first in a series of 15 icebreaking carriers designed to transport LNG all year round. Its cargo capacity is 172,600 cubic metres. Igor Tonkovidov, Executive Vice President of Sovcomflot, said: “This remarkable, safe passage across the NSR has required the crew’s utmost attention and concentration. “Ice conditions along the route were severe, especially in the East Siberian Sea, and the vessel experienced navigation in extended periods of limited visibility. “The navigational and hydrographic situation within Arctic regions remains as challenging as ever.”
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Christophe de Margerie has set a new record for crossing the Northern Sea Route (NSR) off the Arctic coast of Russia – 2,360 nautical miles in 18 days. The first of a planned fleet of 15 icebreaking carriers operated by Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot took a total of seven days 17 hours to travel from the Russian port of Sabetta to Tangshan port in China via the NSR. Sovcomflot Executive VP Igor Tonkovidov said ice conditions had been severe and Arctic navigation was as challenging as ever.