Working Conditions Aboard the Lng-Alliance

The tanker 'Gaselys' has unexpectedly altered its course, reversing direction towards Spain after nearly three weeks at sea. Initially scheduled to dock in Boston on January 20, 2018, the vessel has instead decided to make its way back to the strategic port of Algeciras, with an expected arrival next week. Having departed from a terminal near London, the 'Gaselys' carried a cargo originating from storage tanks that had received fuel from the controversial $27 billion Yamal LNG project, located in the frigid regions of northern Russia. This shipment, intended for the U.S. East Coast, became particularly noteworthy due to the extreme weather conditions that had previously gripped the U.S. northeast, leading to record natural gas prices. The origins of the gas have sparked scrutiny, as part of the cargo comes from a facility that has faced financial sanctions from the U.S. government since 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Moreover, the tanker’s indirect routing from London to Boston has raised further questions about its final destination. Engie SA’s North American division acquired this spot cargo from Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd., presumably to supplement its contracted shipments from Trinidad and Tobago destined for the Everett terminal near Boston. The Yamal LNG project, co-owned by Russia’s Novatek PJSC, Total SA, China Natural Petroleum Corp., and China’s Silk Road Fund, commenced production in December 2017 amid the ongoing U.S. financial sanctions against Russia related to its activities in Ukraine.

Damen Shiprepair Brest (DSBr) has successfully wrapped up a comprehensive renewal survey maintenance program on the 290-meter LNG carrier, Gaselys. Co-owned by Japan's NYK Line and ENGIE, formerly known as GDF SUEZ, and operated by Gazocean, this ten-year-old vessel underwent a routine docking that featured an extensive scope of work. When Gaselys was launched in 2007, it proudly stood as one of the largest LNG carriers ever constructed, alongside its sister ship, Provalys. Even today, both vessels remain among the largest LNG carriers actively operating in the global maritime industry.