To Asia are directed enough tankers of liquefied gas (LNG) from a Russian export facility that has been submitted to US sanctions, possibly testing Washington’s determination to trace trade amid high levels of war talks in Ukraine
IRIS and Voskhod ships, which carry loads from the Arctic LNG 2 plant to Siberia, began traveling to northern Asia via the North Sea Road on August 15, after weeks of immobility, according to ship monitoring data collected by Bloomberg. Two other Russian liquefied natural gas tankers recently loaded at the plant also began to head to Asia last week.
The Arctic LNG 2, led by Novatek PJSC, is crucial for Russia’s plans to triple exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2030 and to use new gas markets after a sharp decline in sales through pipelines to traditional markets in Europe.
The United States has suspended the implementation of further measures against buyers of Russian energy exports, including China, as they seek to mediate to reach Ukraine’s ceasefire agreement, with Donald Trump declaring that the individual discussions with Vladimir.
The Arctic LNG 2 produced eight loads last summer, but was forced to close in October, as it failed to find buyers and as the ice began to accumulate seasonally around the installation. The factory, initially approved by the Biden government, reiterated the loading in June, but no cargo has yet to be included in an introduction facility.
It is not clear whether the four ships directed to Asia will eventually find buyers. About twelve ships, including those who can sail in frozen waters, have been concentrated to possibly serve the Arctic LNG 2, with some of them changing management companies several times to conceal their real owners.