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ABB, a global leader in power and automation technology, has secured a contract to supply electrical power and propulsion systems for the first of 16 Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. The contract, which includes options to equip 15 further vessels, is part of a project to transport LNG from the Yamal Peninsula in Northwest Siberia to Asia and Europe. The order was booked in the first quarter of 2014.

A consortium of partners, headed by Russian gas producer Novatek, have joined the Yamal project to open up gas from the Yamal peninsula, which is located inside the Arctic Circle and locked in ice for most of the year.

The LNG is due to be shipped out of Sabetta port using the new 170,000 cubic metre LNG carriers built to icebreaking capability of ARC 7, an ice-class scale that goes up to 9.

Shipment is scheduled be made to Asia via the Northern Sea Route in the summer months, resulting in substantially reduced delivery times when compared to transit via traditional routes, as well as cutting fuel consumption and ship fuel emissions. The new building program has been awarded to Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), in South Korea.

ABB's scope of supply includes turbochargers, generators, switchboards, transformers, electric drives, propulsion control and the Azipod propulsion units that will power the vessels through the arctic conditions.

The design will allow ship operations in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius. By using Azipod propulsion units, the ship will move ahead in open water and in moderate ice conditions, and astern to cut through heavy ice. The advanced solution facilitates ship operations predominantly without ice breaker escort.

"Operating LNG carriers in ice-locked waters year-round requires the highest standards in safety and efficiency," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. "ABB is very proud to have had its technology selected for such a project."

"Azipod propulsion has proved to be the technology of choice for more than 30 ice-going vessels, including shuttle tankers operating for Sovcomflot out of Varandey and for Norilsk Nickel's 'Arctic Express' container ships," added Reinikkala.