Sovcomflot takes delivery of dual-fuelled tanker

The SCF Barents is the second vessel in a series of three 174,000-cbm new-generation Atlanticmax LNG carriers ordered by PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) in 2018.

Delivered on yesterday (14 September), the vessel has since embarked upon her maiden voyage under a long-term time charter agreement with one of Shell’s subsidiaries.

Commenting on the delivery of SCF Barents, President and CEO of SCF Group, Igor Tonkovidov, highlighted the ‘long-standing partnership’ with Shell, which is amongst the largest charterers of SCF’s vessels.

‘The delivery of SCF Barents, which will operate under a long-term time charter to Shell, serves as a logical next step in our mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also important to note that growing our fleet of gas carriers is a strategic priority for SCF Group,’ said Tonkovidov.

‘With the delivery of SCF Barents, we now have 15 gas carriers in operation, with another 16 under construction. Thus, two-thirds of all vessels currently ordered by SCF Group are destined to expand our gas fleet,’ Tonkovidov added.

The SCF Barents follows the first vessel of the three-vessel series, SCF La Perouse, which was delivered in February 2020, and has since begun a long-term time charter with Total.