(Bloomberg) —
A sanctioned Russian liquefied natural gas export facility is sending a shipment to Asia for the first time, as Moscow continues a search for customers willing to take the fuel and circumvent US restrictions.
Everest Energy picked up a shipment from the Arctic LNG 2 plant in northeastern Russia over the weekend, and is currently on its way to Asia via the northern sea route, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The vessel was built in 2003, was also sanctioned by the US last month due to its connection to a suspected dark fleet, and had its shipping certificate permanently revoked by Palau last week.
In Desperate Move Russia Sends First-Ever Conventional LNG Carrier Through Arctic
It is highly unusual and possibly dangerous for a traditional LNG vessel without ice-breaking capabilities to traverse the arctic trade route, which freezes over completely during the northern hemisphere winter. That illustrates the lengths Russia will go to expand gas deliveries in the face of US restrictions on the plant and accompanying vessels in a bid to try to halt the facility.
The final destination for Everest Energy isn’t clear. The vessel may deliver the gas to the Koryak fuel storage unit in Kamchatka or to an import terminal in Asia.
The Arctic LNG 2 plant began production in December, but US sanctions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine delayed exports for months. The facility started shipments in August via vessels with opaque ownership that were hiding their location, typical characteristics of a dark fleet that are used to circumvent western restrictions.
© 2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,810 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
The U.S. military has carried out a precision airstrike on a key command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital city, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)....
Twelve European countries are set to clamp down on tankers that move millions of barrels of Russian petroleum around the world — by asking to see how they’re protected against oil spills and other high-cost claims.
The EU’s 15th sanctions package against Russia for the first time targets Yamal LNG by including a carrier in service of the project. The ice-capable tanker Christophe de Margerie, one...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,810 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
