Russia Expands Shadow Fleet for LNG Transport Amid EU Supply Ban
Russia's shadow fleet of LNG carriers has reached 25 vessels, including secondhand and newly built tankers. This expansion aims to sustain LNG shipments post-EU supply ban effective January 1, 2027.
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The fleet of liquefied natural gas carriers in Russia has expanded to 25 vessels, including eight secondhand tankers and two newly constructed at Zvezda shipyard. Novatek dominates the LNG sector, with its Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2 projects producing over 65% of Russia's LNG, while Gazprom's Sakhalin-2 contributes another 30%.
China is the primary buyer of LNG from Arctic LNG 2, with shipments managed by eleven aging vessels. The expansion of this fleet is critical for maintaining LNG exports after the EU's supply ban starts in January 2027.
The complexity of gas carriers has delayed fleet growth compared to oil transport. Additionally, a proposed EU ban on transporting Russian LNG was excluded from the latest sanctions package, influenced by Greece's interests.
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