Sovcomflot is to build three LNG-fuelled MR product tankers at a Russian shipyard, following a government directive.
The vessels will be built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in Russia's Primorsky region with delivery scheduled for 2022 and 2023.
The trio will be chartered to a subsidiary of PJSC Novatek for a firm period of 20 years.
Sergey Frank, chief executive of Sovcomflot, said: "The introduction of 'green' technologies for energy shipping is one of the priorities provided for by the development strategy of our company for the period up to 2025."
Igor Tonkovidov, Sovcomflot's executive vice-president, said the Russian-built vessels would "contribute to strengthening the leadership and increasing the competitiveness of Russian shipping companies in the world market".
Gas projects
The new order adds to Sovcomflot's already extensive portfolio of gas projects, which includes LNG-fuelled tankers; LNG carriers, LNG bunkering and supporting other companies in their gas projects.
Five LNG-fuelled tankers are currently under construction for Sovcomflot at Zvezda Shipbuilding, which are the second phase of Sovcomflot's Green Funnel project.
The vessels, which were ordered in late 2018, will be time-chartered to Rosneft and Novatek on delivery.
The first six Green Funnel tankers were delivered in mid-2018 and have begun charters with Shell.
Sovcomflot is providing technical supervision for the construction of five LNG-fuelled tankers for Rosneft at Zvezda.
The tanker company will provide technical management for tankers following their delivery.
In early June, Sovcomflot and Gazprom Neft announced plans to work together on LNG fuel bunkering.
