Russia supports export of sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 with one icebreaker
Russia is maintaining liquefied natural gas exports from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project thanks to one icebreaking tanker. The Christophe De Margerie docked again at the Arctic terminal in January and is preparing to export its third shipment of LNG since 20 December, according to ship tracking data. It is reported by The Public with reference to Bloomberg.
This Arc7-class tanker is the only one in Russia's so-called shadow fleet capable of operating in Arctic ice throughout the year. Due to the thick ice in winter, conventional vessels cannot enter the terminal. Last month, one of the loading attempts was disrupted due to ice conditions
According to shipping data, Christophe De Margerie transports gas between Arctic LNG 2 and the Saam floating storage facility in the Murmansk region. From there, the fuel is picked up by standard tankers and delivered to China, which currently remains the only buyer of Russian LNG under sanctions
Analysts note that with one icebreaker, the project is operating at about 25 per cent of its current capacity. In December, Russia completed the construction of the first domestic icebreaking LNG tanker, the Alexey Kosygin, which could boost export capabilities once it arrives in the Arctic
Photo: Ship-technology
