Russia is making efforts to increase the export volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Arctic LNG-2 terminal, which is under Western sanctions. Recently, for the first time since October 2024, the vessel Iris, designated for transporting LNG, docked at this facility. In total, the Russian Federation has engaged at least 13 tankers to service Arctic LNG-2.
This is reported by Finway
Gas Transportation and Actions of the Shadow Fleet
The tanker Iris has already left the Arctic LNG-2 area and is heading to Murmansk, where its arrival is expected on July 1. However, there is currently no confirmation that gas has indeed been loaded onto the vessel. It is worth noting that large-scale LNG production at Arctic LNG-2 was halted last fall due to ice formation around the plant, which significantly complicated transportation. In November 2024, it became known that gas extraction at the gas fields was nearly completely stopped due to Western sanctions.
Sanction Pressure and Export Prospects
If the Iris vessel picks up another batch of gas, it will become the ninth LNG cargo exported from Arctic LNG-2. The previous unloading took place on October 5, 2024. In the same month, the U.S. State Department imposed additional sanctions on the owners and managers of several vessels designated for LNG transportation, including Iris (formerly known as North Sky). The Arctic LNG-2 project itself is also under sanctions, complicating its operations in the international market.
“If the Russian Federation can find buyers, this small fleet will be sufficient for transporting the cargo,” analysts say.