Russia Lays Keel for First LNG Passenger Ship

The keel has been laid for Russia's first LNG-powered passenger ship, Gazprom said on February 28.

The ceremony for the Chaika LNG was held at the shipyard of Zelenodolsk in the Tatarstan region. The ship (Seagull, in English) is expected to be launched this year, and will be used for leisure and sightseeing trips, accommodating at least 170 people.

Tatarstan will harness its "robust transport potential" to produce LNG-powered ships, Gazprom said, without specifying how many were planned. The gas firm will be responsible for refuelling the vessels.

Gazprom signed an agreement with the Tatarstan government in June last year on developing an LNG complex and creating a network of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the region. Tatarstan now holds 20 CNG stations, which is twice as many as it had in 2016.