A laden Arc7 LNG carrier has sustained damage while making a pioneering winter voyage through the Arctic waters of the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

TradeWinds has learned that the central azipod on the 172,600-cbm Nikolay Yevgenov (built 2019) was damaged. The reason is not yet clear, but those following the specialised ice-breaking LNG fleet said ice is a likely cause.

Ships in the Arc7 fleet are each equipped with three 15MW azipods and are able to turn and navigate stern first to cut through sea ice. They are designed to be capable of breaking 2.1-metre thick ice.

Observing the vessel data closely, Eikland Energy iGIS/LNG founder Kjell Eikland noted a change in the carrier's movement to the east of Wrangel Island where variable and faster-moving ice conditions can be experienced.

Unassisted

The Teekay LNG and China LNG Shipping Holdings-owned vessel, which is on long-term charter to Yamal Trade, did not ask for assistance and continued its voyage unaided.

Early this week, Kpler data showed the ship was due to arrive in Tianjin, China, on 28 January.

Teekay did not reply to a request for comment on the damage to its vessel.

The Nikolay Yevgenov is one of two Arc7 LNG carriers making the first January voyages along the Arctic sea route. This route has previously been closed to these vessels from December until May or July, due to ice cover and winter conditions.

Both vessels were carrying cargoes loaded at the Novatek-led Yamal LNG project. At the weekend, they emerged into the Bering Strait after taking about 11 days to navigate through the NSR without ice-breaker assistance.

The Nikolay Yevgenov was following in the channel cut by the lead Arc7 vessel, Sovcomflot (SCF Group)’s 172,600-cbm Christophe de Margerie (built 2017).

A third LNG carrier, the sistership Nikolay Zubov (built 2019), also took the NSR this month returning westbound to Yamal’s Sabetta terminal in ballast on Sunday.

Novatek said on Monday that these January voyages are the result of “targeted work” by the company and its partners to expand the navigational season for LNG shipments from its Arctic projects along the eastern part of the NSR.

Russia is aiming to open up the NSR to year-round navigation from 2024.