Sanctioned Russian LNG Facility Sends First Shipment to Asia, Circumventing US Restrictions
A sanctioned Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility has sent its first shipment to Asia despite Western sanctions, Bloomberg reports.
The Arctic LNG 2 plant in northeastern Russia loaded a cargo onto the vessel Everest Energy over the weekend, with the ship currently traversing the Northern Sea Route towards Asia, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
This development marks a significant step for the Arctic LNG 2 project, which began production in December but faced export delays due to US sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian conflict.
The Everest Energy, built in 2003, was also sanctioned by the US last month.
The vessel’s journey through the Northern Sea Route, which freezes over completely during the northern hemisphere winter, is considered unusual and potentially dangerous for a traditional LNG carrier without ice-breaking capabilities.
The final destination for the Everest Energy remains unclear. The vessel may deliver the gas to the Koryak fuel storage unit in Kamchatka or to an import terminal in Asia.
The latest shipment on the Everest Energy, a vessel with a well-documented history, suggests a shift in strategy and a renewed focus on finding buyers for its LNG despite the challenges.
