Russian-Flagged LNG Tankers Signal Expansion of Shadow Fleet

A group of aging LNG vessels switching to the Russian flag suggests Moscow is ramping up exports from sanctioned Arctic projects. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A photograph shows the Utrenneye field, the resource base for Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project, located in the Gydan Peninsula on the Kara Sea shoreline in the Arctic circle, some 2500 km from Moscow, on Nov. 30, 2021. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers that recently switched to the Russian flag are heading toward the Arctic, signaling a potential expansion of Moscow’s shadow fleet used to bypass sanctions, according to ship-tracking data on Wednesday, April 29. Bloomberg reported that the vessels – Kosmos, Luch, Orion and Merkuriy – are moving north in the Atlantic, with at least one indicating a destination of Murmansk, a key hub for Arctic energy exports. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The port is located near the Saam floating gas storage unit, which holds shipments from the US-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project. According to ship database Equasis, the tankers changed flags to Russia in March and April after previously being owned by Oman Ship Management Co. or its subsidiaries. The vessels also exhibit characteristics typical of so-called shadow fleets: they are older than most LNG carriers still in operation and have recently been transferred to lesser-known companies through opaque ownership structures. Bloomberg analysis indicates that at least 16 tankers have transported LNG from sanctioned Russian projects, with one reportedly damaged in March and currently out of service. Ownership of two of the vessels – Kosmos and Luch – was transferred in February to Hong Kong-based Mighty Ocean Shipping Ltd., while Orion and Merkuriy were acquired by Celtic Maritime & Trading SA. The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Other Topics of Interest Belarus Confirms Russian Draft Evaders Barred From Leaving Via Its Border Belarusian officials stressed that Belarus does not independently decide on restrictions but enforces data received from Russian authorities. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that two ships carrying Russian diesel changed their routes while already sailing to Brazil . Both tankers were loaded in March at Russia’s Primorsk port and had already completed almost half of their trip to Brazil before their buyers were changed – something that rarely happens once cargo is at sea. One ship, the Flora 1, is now heading toward the Suez Canal after loading about 37,000 tons of diesel, according to a Reuters report. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.