Russian shipowner Sovcomflot and energy company Novatek's joint venture Smart LNG has signed financing and time-charter agreements for a quartet of ice-breaking LNG carriers for the Arctic LNG 2 project.

Smart LNG inked a lease financing deal with VEB.RF Group on the four newbuildings.

The joint venture also signed long-term time charter agreements for these vessels with Novatek-led Arctic LNG 2.