New Russian shipyard Zvezda has been linked to a big new icebreaker order.
The Kommersant daily said the yard will build four vessels fuelled by LNG for domestic gas producer Novatek.
They are worth RUB 60bn ($953m) for use in the western part of the Northern Sea Route, according to sources cited by the newspaper.
Novatek will finance the newbuildings, while Atomflot, part of state nuclear power agency Rosatom, will operate them.
Novatek said it was considering a decision to build a series of three LNG icebreakers, with one optional unit attached.
"We are holding commercial negotiations with shipyards, Zvezda included, on construction of the series with commission of all ships before the end of 2023,” a spokesperson said.
Rosatom is due to discuss the project at a meeting on 24 July.
