- Satellite Images Show Possible Ship-to-Ship Fuel Exchange Off Malaysia.
- Pacific Gas Denies Ownership, Cites Compliance with Sanctions.
- Transfer Raises Questions Over China’s Role in Russian LNG Trade.
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker off the coast of Malaysia, which seems to be taking on fuel from a sanctioned Russian vessel, is reportedly owned by the Chinese shipping company Pacific Gas, according to sources familiar with the situation. Satellite images captured on October 18 and 23 reveal the tanker CCH Gas, positioned directly next to the Perle, a ship transporting LNG from Russia’s Portovaya plant, which the U.S. blacklisted in January. The proximity of these two vessels suggests a possible ship-to-ship transfer, a process that can take several days to complete, reports The Strait Times.
Ownership Details and Pacific Gas’s Denial
Pacific Gas, operating out of Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore, is reported to have acquired CCH Gas earlier in 2025. The company mainly focuses on liquefied petroleum gas carriers. However, in a statement to Bloomberg, Pacific Gas denied any connection to the vessel. “Pacific Gas conducts its business in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and maintains internal standards to ensure compliance with international sanctions requirements,” the company said.
Pacific Gas is a subsidiary of the state-owned Shandong Marine Energy Group. If this transfer is confirmed, it would be the first known case of a Chinese-owned ship facilitating the transport of sanctioned Russian LNG, potentially testing U.S. efforts to curb Moscow’s energy revenues.
China’s Growing Role in the Russian LNG Trade
China started importing U.S.-sanctioned Russian LNG in late August, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing. Moscow already supplies gas to China through overland pipelines, which are not affected by U.S. sanctions. In its quarterly earnings report on October 21, Pacific Gas revealed that it owned a single LNG vessel as of September, a shift from its previous filing that indicated no ownership.
Vessel’s History and Ownership Trail
CCH Gas, formerly known as Condor LNG, was owned by the Greek shipping company TMS Cardiff Gas until early 2025, according to the shipping database Equasis. Cardiff Gas confirmed the sale of the vessel in an email but did not disclose the identity of the buyer. They also stated that they did not sell the vessel to Pacific Gas.
Experts point out that ships associated with the so-called “dark fleet” frequently change ownership several times before they finally reach their actual operators, which makes it tough to trace who’s really in charge and accountable.
Front Company and Shadow-Fleet Tactics
Records reveal that a company based in Hong Kong, CCH-1 Shipping, has been listed as the owner of CCH Gas since May. Interestingly, its address is linked to a postbox company called Samxin Secretarial Services, which is situated in an industrial building. A Bloomberg reporter who visited the location found the office locked and empty.
According to ship-tracking data, CCH Gas has been sitting idle off the coasts of Singapore and Malaysia since February. It reportedly managed to secure a crew between late August and early September before moving to eastern Malaysia in October. Right now, the vessel is hiding its signal, a common tactic used by shadow-fleet ships that are involved in restricted or illegal trade.
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Source: The Straits Times
