Russia’s Shadow Fleet Carries Out First Ship-to-Ship LNG Transfer

Russia’s shadow fleet operation has carried out its first reported ship-to-ship (STS) LNG transfer from its sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.

Per the satellite images and reports from TankerTrackers, the LNG carrier Pioneer, which collected the initial cargo three weeks ago, was spotted transferring LNG to New Energy’s vessel north of the Suez Canal.

The transfer completed outside port facilities is a more complex and risky operation than the regular STS crude oil transfers that Russian vessels have conducted for years.

Since 2017, Russia has gained expertise in LNG transfers, having completed over 150 such operations for the energy company Novatek.

Pioneer travelled from Norway to southern Europe, circling north of Egypt’s Port Said for several days.

On August 22, 2024, the vessel deactivated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder, making it difficult for authorities to track its movement.

New Energy, approaching from the south via the Suez Canal, took the same route and deactivated its AIS transponder.

The ships were spotted alongside each other about 20 nautical miles northeast of Port Said. In the calm sea, the transfer was expected to take 36-48 hours.

On August 23, 2024, the U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on Pioneer and added it to the growing list of sanctioned Russian LNG carriers.

However, New Energy remains unsanctioned for now, even though its involvement in the operation will surely draw attention from the U.S.

Due to its opaque ownership, New Energy, managed by Plio Energy Cargo Shipping since June, was previously suspected of being a part of the shadow fleet.

Russia’s shadow fleet might be preparing for its second LNG transfer. The vessel Aysa Energy, which also loaded cargo from Arctic LNG 2, made a strange 180-degree turn off Norway’s coast and returned to Russian Arctic waters.

It is positioned near Kildin Island, north of Murmansk, and is frequently used for STS transfers of LNG from the Yamal LNG facility.

The newest vessel involved in these operations, Everest Energy, sanctioned by the U.S., is departing from the Arctic LNG 2 facility.

Russia’s plan to establish a successful dark fleet operation for LNG may face major challenges with the smaller LNG fleet and fewer loading and unloading points than for oil.

Reference: BNN Bloomberg

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