Russian tanker fails to load liquefied natural gas due to Arctic ice
The Russian tanker Buran, linked to the so-called "shadow fleet", has abandoned an attempt to load liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the Arctic LNG 2 export terminal in the Arctic due to difficult ice conditions. The vessel had been circling the Gulf of Ob for several days, but was unable to reach the berth and turned its course to Murmansk. It is reported by The Public with reference to Bloomberg.
Buran has an Arc4 ice class, which allows it to traverse only thin ice. This created serious logistical problems in late November, when thick ice impeded navigation in the Gydan region of northern Russia. As a result, the shipment was delayed.
Arctic LNG 2 is one of Russia's key gas projects with a potential of over 13 million tonnes of LNG per year. Since June this year, the terminal has exported more than 1 million tonnes of gas, some of which has been delivered to Chinese import points despite US sanctions.
Experts point to a systemic problem: the combination of tough sanctions, a limited number of specialised vessels and early ice cover makes regular exports from Russia's Arctic terminals less and less stable. There is only one Arc7-class vessel in the shadow fleet, the Christophe de Margerie, which is capable of operating in severe ice conditions all year round.
Due to these circumstances, Arctic LNG 2 may face a temporary reduction in LNG supplies until next summer.
