Company: DLNG
Filing Date: 2025-04-10
Form Type: 20-F
Source: 0001104659-25-033744
Chunk: 95

Company: Dynagas LNG Partners LP
Filing Date: 2025-04-10
Form: 20-F
Item: Item 3
Chunk 95
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ional level ice thickness of 0.4m. For mild ice conditions.           

The FSICR and the system of ice navigation operated during the winter months in the Northern Baltic are the most well-developed criteria and standards for ice navigation. The system of ice navigation comprises three fundamental elements:

  Ice class merchant vessels (compliant with the FSICR for navigation in the northern Baltic);  

  Fairway navigation channels; and  

  Ice breaker assistance.  

Year-round navigation and continuity of trade using the above three fundamental elements were first introduced in the northern Baltic Sea areas during the 1960s. The current FSICR, as well as the system of ice navigation, has evolved over the years to its current state.

Requirement for Ice Class Tonnage

The FSICR include technical requirements for hull and machinery scantlings as well as for the minimum propulsion power of ships. The hull of ice class vessels and the main propulsion machinery must be safe. The vessel must have sufficient power for safe operations in ice-covered waters. During the vessels’ normal operations, they encounter various ice interaction loadings, which calls for strengthened hull structures.

In addition to the ice class rules, ships are required to comply with requirements set by the maritime authorities in various jurisdictions. For example, the Russian marine operations headquarters accepts ships with ice-strength functionalities according to or at least the equivalent of FSICR 1B and compliance with crewing and icebreaker assistance requirements in order to operate in the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Ice Class LNG Fleet

The number of ships in the international LNG fleet with an ice class standard is very low. As of February 2025, there were only 33 LNG carriers with Ice Class 1A and Ice-Class 1A Super Standard in operation and 13 vessels on order.

Northern Sea Route (NSR)

Currently, cargo flows through the NSR are dominated by oil, gas and mineral exports, particularly coal and iron ore. Demand for shipping for these commodities in the region has been increasing in recent years, driven by several key factors, including:

  reduced level of sea ice has extended the summer shipping season in the Arctic and is making some areas easy to navigate;  
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  increase in mineral resource development activities in the Arctic;  
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  commodity demand growth in Asian economies;  

  technological developments which have made NSR a more feasible