- US-Sanctioned Vessel Perle Transfers Cargo from Portovaya to CCH Gas.
- Satellite Data Confirms STS Operation Near Singapore, Analysts Say.
- Perle Heads Toward Indian Ocean After Transfer; CCH Gas Remains Off Malaysia.
A sanctioned liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has reportedly carried out a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer off the coast of Malaysia after loading its cargo from a Russian export terminal, despite Western restrictions, according to analytics firms Kpler and Vortexa, reports gCaptain.
First Known Transfer of Sanctioned Russian LNG
This operation seems to be the first documented STS transfer involving sanctioned Russian LNG, even with Western efforts aimed at limiting Moscow’s energy revenues amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The LNG tanker Perle, which was sanctioned by the United States back in January, transported a cargo from the Portovaya terminal located on the Baltic Sea, which is also under sanctions. Satellite imagery, automatic identification system (AIS) data, and changes in the vessel’s draft indicated that Perle transferred its cargo to the tanker CCH Gas off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, northeast of Singapore, sometime between October 17 and 24.
Evidence of the Transfer
Data from Kpler confirmed that both ships were spotted together on October 18 and again on October 23. Analyst Go Katayama noted that the change in the draft on October 24 provided confirmation of the discharge onto CCH Gas. “The proximity of the vessels was typical of a ship-to-ship transfer, in what has become a well-known STS location for the shadow oil fleet,” said Ashley Sherman, Senior LNG Analyst, Vortexa
Sherman estimated the operation occurred between October 17–18 but noted that STS transfers can extend for several days, adding that the vessels appeared side-by-side again on October 23.
Tankers’ Movements After Transfer
After completing its operation, the Perle made its way north through the Straits of Malacca and is now heading west toward the Indian Ocean, as reported by Kpler. In the meantime, the CCH Gas, which isn’t under any sanctions, is currently anchored near the STS site off the coast of Malaysia.
Background on the Sanctions
On February 27, Washington imposed sanctions on Russia’s Portovaya and Vysotsk LNG terminals along with their operators. The Perle loaded its cargo at Portovaya on February 13 and stayed near the terminal before making its way south around the Cape of Good Hope in July, eventually reaching Southeast Asia in August. Vortexa’s Sherman pointed out that the Perle had been in the South China Sea since August and remained there until this month.
Ownership Details
According to the shipping database Equasis, the registered owner of the Perle is Nephrite Shipping Inc., while its commercial manager is Dreamer Shipmanagement LLC-FZ, both of which are based in Dubai. The CCH Gas is registered under CCH-1 Shipping Co Ltd, which is based in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, Reuters couldn’t find any contact information for the companies involved. Gazprom LNG Portovaya LLC, the operator of the Portovaya terminal, did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
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Source: gCaptain
