Joint venture companies owned by Sovcomflot (SCF Group) and NYK Line have revealed new financing for two Sakhalin-2 LNG carriers.

The Russian and Japanese operators are banking $176m over eight years from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Societe Generale and Shinsei Bank of Japan.

The cash will go towards refinancing the 145,000-cbm ice-class Grand Aniva (built 2008) and Grand Elena (built 2007), jointly owned by the companies.