Ship-tracking data indicates that the tanker operated by Everest Energy, which was sanctioned by the US last month, is on course to reach Arctic LNG 2. If it proceeds, this will mark the fourth shipment from the facility, which has been under US sanctions since last year.
Previous Voyages
In August, it was reported that Russia's Arctic LNG 2 facility had managed to circumvent these sanctions within just a few months. Bloomberg revealed that the "Asya Energy," another tanker believed to be part of Russia’s so-called "dark fleet," departed from the terminal and is now heading west. This departure followed satellite images showing the vessel moored at Arctic LNG 2 just days prior.
Before setting sail, the "Asya Energy" had concealed its location, drifting in the Barents Sea for over 10 days to obscure its position. The vessel’s destination and the buyer of its cargo remain unclear. Traders are closely monitoring activities at the terminal, which was sanctioned last year and barred from receiving the ice-class tankers needed for LNG exports.
The earlier departure of the "Asya Energy" from the yard in August suggests that Russia has successfully evaded sanctions using its shadow fleet, allowing Arctic LNG 2 to operate continuously. Analysts also suspect that a third vessel is preparing to dock at the terminal, currently circling nearby and masking its coordinates. If this vessel loads, it would indicate a high level of activity at the terminal.
Both loaded vessels are currently listed as having destinations "for orders," and their draft data, which reflects their depth below the waterline, has not been updated since August. It is possible that they will switch off their transponders as they approach their destinations, further obscuring their movements.
Three Vessels Export LNG from Arctic LNG 2 Amid Sanctions
Since Arctic LNG 2 began loading operations last month, three vessels have shipped liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the facility, which is under US sanctions.
One ship, Everest Energy, unloaded its cargo at the Saam FSU floating storage unit in northern Russia and has since returned to Arctic LNG 2. This underscores the difficulties Russia faces in finding buyers for its sanctioned LNG, according to analysts at Kpler.
The other two shipments have stayed in Russian or European waters and have not been delivered to any buyers. Arctic LNG 2 was meant to be a major project for Russia, with production expected to meet a significant portion of the country’s LNG target by 2030.
Cloud-penetrating radar images from European Space Agency satellites confirm Everest Energy’s docking at Saam FSU, though cloud cover has obscured many details.
Source: Bloomberg and Financial Times
