OREANDA-NEWS. September 03, 2012.   On the first of August 2012 product-carrier SCF Neva (DWT - 47,125 tons, year of construction - 2006, ice class - 1A) started transportation of oil from the Gulf of Ob (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District), becoming the largest tanker ever to start operating from this little explored area of the Russian Arctic. The vessel was employed under time-charter agreements with Lukoil, a Russian oil major, and is carrying the flag of the Russian Federation.

 Part of the ship’s voyage will go along the Northern Sea Route. That represents another important step towards the strengthening of commercial shipping in the Arctic, a major focus for SCF Group.

 Sovcomflot is planning to use the voyages of SCF Neva in the Gulf of Ob for studying of the fairway as part of preparation for long-term work on large-scale oil and gas projects in the Yamal Peninsula, announced by OAO "NOVATEK" and OAO "Gazprom Neft".

 The project goes in line with the strategy of Sovcomflot - 2017, which envisages the company's participation in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons from the remote areas of the Russian Arctic. For several years in a row SCF is steadily increasing its presence in the service segment of shipping for the large Arctic oil and gas projects and provides commercial voyages along the Northern Sea Route exploring the possibilities of large-capacity vessels, discovering new routes and offering new logistical solutions to domestic and international oil and gas companies.