Sovcomflot to play a leading role in NOVATEK’s Maritime Arctic Transport - Leonid Mikhelson
“Sovcomflot is to play a leading role, especially in terms of operation”, Leonid Mikhelson, co-owner of PAO NOVATEK and Chairman of NOVATEK’s Management Board, said in his interview with the Kommersant newspaper when asked about the role of Sovcomflot in the newly established company, Maritime Arctic Transport.
“Perhaps, we will attract a foreign partner to this company. Manning of vessels is of great significance. Besides, there are issues related to financing of vessels construction. Yet, our ship owners found a solution under the Yamal LNG project, though not that easy as we know. Therefore, I believe that establishment of this company will generally ensure systematization of the entire tanker fleet operation in this water area and help ship owners get financing for construction of new tankers”, explained Leonid Mikhelson.
When touching the maters of ownership and financing of newbuildings, the head of NOVATEK emphasized that it is important for the company “to have control in a single pair of hands and to ensure that the construction receives funding. The schemes comfortable for our partners – Sovcomflot, or probably, new partner - will be selected".
“Sovcomflot and potential partners are interested in us as a company providing a guaranteed cargo flow. That will be our contribution to the company while they will contribute their professional competence in fleet construction and operation”, summarized Leonid Mikhelson.
PAO NOVATEK and PAO Sovcomflot signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement on 28 June 2018.
Related link:
NOVATEK signed Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Sovcomflot >>>>
