en.Wedoany.com Reported - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced at the 2026 International Industrial Expo (Иннопром-2026) that Russia will launch three new high ice-class natural gas carriers for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Arctic region. Two completed vessels, named "Alexei Kosygin" and "Konstantin Posyet," have been built in Primorsky Krai. Three additional ships of the same type, all with the highest ice class, will be put into operation in the coming years.

Mishustin noted that some foreign technologies were used in the development of the new carriers, but Russia is working to build fully domestically produced LNG carriers. These vessels could form the backbone of the cargo fleet along the strategic Northern Sea Route, contributing to the development of the Arctic region and ensuring its transport accessibility.

By mid-2026, the number of various types of vessels delivered and put into operation, including fishing vessels, has exceeded 150, significantly surpassing planned levels. In June, a naming ceremony for the Arctic LNG carrier "Konstantin Posyet" was held at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in Primorsky Krai. This vessel is the second tanker in a new generation of Arc7-class Arctic ships, with the lead ship "Alexei Kosygin" having entered service at the end of December 2025. Each tanker can transport over 172,000 cubic meters of LNG, making it one of the most powerful vessels in its class.