Zvezda Shipyard Successfully Delivers First Arctic-Capable Oil Tanker, Valentin Pikul

After years of efforts to build Arctic-capable oil and LNG tankers in Russia, the Zvezda shipyard in the Far East has successfully delivered its first vessel. The 69 000 dwt Arc6 ice-class Panamax shuttle tanker, named Valentin Pikul, has been handed over to its registered owner, Rosnefteflot JSC, and is now available for orders outside the Zvezda yard.

The tanker is expected to transport oil from the Varandey offshore loading system, the northernmost continuously operating oil terminal in the world, located in the Pechora Sea, to the Murmansk transfer hub. Recent US sanctions target the flow of Russian oil from three Arctic projects – Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, and Novy Port – affecting the entire fleet of ice-capable oil tankers, including the newly launched Valentin Pikul.

Despite these sanctions, Russia is likely to continue using shadow fleet tactics to sell oil, although concerns about secondary sanctions are causing apprehension among buyers of sanctioned Russian oil. The Valentin Pikul, like the Arc7 LNG tankers being built at Zvezda, features significant design and construction contributions from Samsung Heavy Industries, with final assembly taking place at Zvezda.

The 257-meter-long vessel, classified as Arc6 ice class, can break through ice up to 1,5 meters thick and operate independently without icebreaker support. It is designed as a double-acting ship with an icebreaking stern for navigating challenging ice conditions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted the Zvezda shipbuilding complex as a crucial asset for reducing reliance on South Korean shipyards for Arctic-capable tankers. Zvezda is also working on the world’s largest nuclear icebreaker, which will be twice as powerful as any existing one. However, progress at Zvezda has been slow, with several vessels years behind schedule and their futures uncertain due to the exit of Western companies.

The Valentin Pikul may soon be joined by the first Arc7 LNG carrier, Aleksey Kosygin, which recently completed its initial sea trials. The delivery of additional Arc7 gas carriers will depend on Russia’s ability to finish the LNG membrane tank and acquire azimuthing propulsion units without Western suppliers. The entire process from order to delivery of the Valentin Pikul took nearly seven years, with four years since its keel was laid in December 2020.