- Fourth sanctioned LNG tanker reaches Russia’s Arctic export plant.
- Christophe de Margerie was spotted near the Utrenniy terminal of Arctic LNG 2.
- US sanctions disrupt Russia’s LNG expansion plans.
A fourth liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, currently under US sanctions, has made its way to Russia’s Arctic export facility as Moscow pushes forward with its plans to boost fuel shipments, reports gCaptain.
Christophe de Margerie Near Utrenniy Terminal
The Christophe de Margerie was detected near the Utrenniy terminal of the Arctic LNG 2 plant early Saturday, according to ship-tracking data from Bloomberg. This ice-class vessel was sanctioned back in January, facing some of the toughest restrictions imposed on Russia’s energy sector by the Biden administration, just as it was about to set sail.
Arctic LNG 2 Key to Russia’s Fuel Expansion Plans
Led by Novatek PJSC, Arctic LNG 2 plays a crucial role in Russia’s ambition to triple its LNG production by 2030. However, US sanctions introduced in 2023 have thrown a wrench in these plans, targeting the Kremlin’s energy revenue in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Other Sanctioned Vessels Still Anchored
The facility, located above the Arctic Circle, ramped up its production earlier this year. Since then, three other sanctioned LNG tankers, the Iris, Voskhod, and Zarya, seem to have loaded their cargo but are still anchored in Russian waters, struggling to find buyers.
Uncertainty Over Christophe de Margerie’s Role
It’s still uncertain whether the Christophe de Margerie, which appears to be empty, will load LNG from Arctic LNG 2. This vessel has previously worked for Yamal LNG, Russia’s largest LNG export plant, which is also operated by Novatek but hasn’t faced sanctions.
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Source: gCaptain
