Russia Christens Second Domestically Built Arc7 Ice-Class LNG Carrier ‘Konstantin Posyet’

Russia has named its second domestically built Arc7-class LNG carrier, the Konstantin Posyet, as it continues expanding its Arctic shipping fleet designed to support year-round transport along the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

The vessel was named on June 18 at the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in Bolshoy Kamen, in Russia’s Far East.

The ceremony was attended remotely by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and senior officials from Sovcomflot, VEB.RF, Rosneft and other organisations involved in the programme.

The ship will be operated by Sovcomflot under a long-term charter with Arctic LNG 2, sail under the Russian flag, and be registered in St. Petersburg.

Built for harsh Arctic conditions, the vessel is designed to sail independently through ice up to 2.1 metres thick without needing icebreaker support.

It will transport liquefied natural gas from Arctic projects such as Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 to global markets, supporting Russia’s efforts to maintain year-round Arctic shipping.

The Konstantin Posyet is the second ship in a new series of Arc7 LNG carriers being built at the Zvezda yard for Sovcomflot.

The first vessel, Alexey Kosygin, was delivered in December 2025 and completed ice trials during the 2026 winter navigation season.

Sovcomflot chairman Sergey Frank called the naming a major milestone for Russian shipbuilding, saying it marks the start of serial production of a new Arctic transport fleet designed for regular use on the Northern Sea Route.

The ship is named after Admiral Konstantin Posyet, a historical figure linked to the development of Russia’s Far East transport system and early railway expansion.

The Arctic LNG carrier programme was originally planned to include up to 21 ships.

Earlier construction work involved partnerships with South Korean shipyards, where some hulls were built before sanctions disrupted deliveries and halted parts of the programme.

Samsung Heavy Industries had delivered five hulls before the project was stopped, while additional units linked to Hanwha Ocean could not be delivered due to sanctions restrictions.

Russia has since increased reliance on domestic shipbuilding at the Zvezda complex.

The expansion of Arc7 carriers is important for Russia’s Arctic LNG strategy, especially as Western sanctions continue to limit access to foreign shipbuilding services and technology.

References: Sputnik Globe, Interfax