Keppel Singmarine delivers icebreaker

Singapore's Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd has completed Asia's first two icebreakers, built for Arctic service for Russia's LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft. The first, Toboy, was delivered to LUKOIL in August this year. The second vessel was named Varandey by Mrs Lyudmila Velikova, wife of Mr Victor Velikov, Deputy General-Director of LUKOIL at a Russian-themed ceremony today.

Varandey will join Toboy in the Barents Sea where they will help forge passages through the ice for oil tankers serving the Varandey Terminal.

Both Varandey and Toboy are designed to work in the harshest environments, cutting through solid ice over 1.7 m thick and operating in extreme temperatures as low as -45 degrees C.

Said Mr Charles Foo, Chairman of Keppel Singmarine, "This is the first time that icebreakers meant for the Arctic region are built in the tropics. It also marks Keppel Singmarine's entry into the flourishing oil and gas market in the Arctic region."

Keppel Singmarine was awarded the contract for the two icebreakers from LUKOIL in 2006.

Mr Foo added, "This was a milestone for Keppel especially since we had secured the contract amidst strong competition from European yards, which have a long tradition in and strong infrastructure of related arctic technology."

Both Varandey and Toboy are built in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, and are customized in accordance with the owner's stringent requirements and superior technical specifications.

Said Mr Victor Velikov, Deputy General-Director of LUKOIL, "The enthusiasm and competence displayed by Keppel Singmarine in building the two icebreakers are remarkable. It met our expectations with regards to technical solutions and workmanship. We look forward to strengthening our ties with Keppel Singmarine in the near future."