Russian firm Novatek delivers first natural gas to Japan via NSR
Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Novatek has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Novatek Gas & Power Asia had shipped first cargo from the Yamal LNG project to Japan.
Novatek said that the LNG has been transported eastbound through the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
The Yamal LNG project is located near Sabetta in the Yamal peninsula in Russia.
Novatek executes the project through its subsidiary Yamal LNG.
The first-ever cargo to Japan was delivered on board the Vladimir Rusanov under a spot contract. It was unloaded at Japan’s Ohgishima LNG Terminal, in line with the delivery schedule of the contract.
Novatek said that the LNG cargo is the company’s first experience of unloading an Arc7 icebreaking LNG carrier at a Japanese port.
Novatek management board deputy chairman Lev Feodosyev said: “We focus a significant amount of attention to develop and enhance the logistical scheme for our LNG projects.
“The future launch of a transhipment terminal in Kamchatka will significantly expand our opportunities to cost competitively deliver and supply LNG to the entire Asia-Pacific region.”
In December last year, Novatek announced the delivery of first LNG cargo from Yamal LNG project to Bangladesh. This shipment was made as part of the long-term offtake agreement with French energy firm Total.