The Russian Port of Murmansk welcomed the 96,779 dwt liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Christophe de Margerie for the first time on February 12, 2017.

The Murmansk branch performed the pilotage and anchoring of the 2016-built tanker, which is scheduled to stay at the Murmansk anchorage until February 14, according to the Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FSUE) Rosmorport.

After the vessel replenishes its stocks and changes crew, it is set to leave the anchorage for the port of Sabetta, Russia.

Loaded with a test volume of LNG, the tanker is currently undertaking sea trials in the Arctic waters.

Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for Russian shipping company Sovcomflot (SCF), the 299-meter-long ship will be deployed to transport liquefied natural gas from the Yamal LNG project.

The 128,806 gross ton ship features an ice class Arc7 making it capable of breaking 2.1-meter-thick ice.