Sovcomflot's LNG tanker Christophe de Margerie has just set a new time record for sailing north of Russia in July from the strategic Yamal Peninsula to the Bering Strait without assistance from ice-breakers, says the Russian tanker shipping company in a press release.

The voyage was completed in seven days and 17 hours, and according to the company, this marks a new record on the so-called Northern Sea Route, which the Russians hope can become a de facto alternative to the Asia-Europe route through Suez.