Russian joint venture Smart LNG has signed shipbuilding contracts for 10 additional Arc7 LNG carrier newbuildings at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex, but the contracts have yet to be finalised.

Shipowner Sovcomflot and liquefaction project developer Novatek’s Smart LNG is understood to have inked the contracts in the last few days.

Final hurdle

But sources said the partners have still to put the finance for the new vessels in place before...