A second large-capacity tanker believed to be carrying reduced gas was observed near the loading terminal of the Arctic LNG-2 project. The vessel is about 290 meters long, a scale close to the Indian gas carrier Asia Energy, and this assessment comes from satellite imagery reported by Bloomberg.
Earlier in August, the first LNG shipment was dispatched from the same facility under American sanctions, using the Pioneer tanker operated by the same shipping line. The report suggests that both tankers may be part of a so-called shadow fleet that Moscow relies on to circumvent export restrictions.
According to Equasis, Asia Energy is managed by Ocean Speedstar Solutions. The company did not respond to requests for comment, and Arctic LNG-2 operator Novatek likewise declined to comment on the tanker’s arrival.
The United States imposed sanctions in November 2022 to deter the start of exports from the new facility, which has the capacity to produce 19.8 million tons per year. Although LNG production began in December, shipments were blocked by restrictions on private vessel supply.
Previously, Western insurers, including the American Club and the West of England, were reported to have underwritten tankers transporting Russian oil in secret to avoid breaches of the G7 price cap.
Russia faced ongoing challenges in balancing reduced oil production with the demands of energy export markets.