Russia’s First Homebuilt Arc7 LNG Carrier Completes Ice Trials, Adds to Arctic Traffic Off Norway Russia’s new carrier for liquefied natural gas,Alexey Kosygin, has completed a Northern Sea Route transit doubling as ice trials, underscoring Moscow’s ability to sustain Arctic LNG exports despite sanctions. The voyage expands Russia’s shadow tanker fleet and heightens maritime safety concerns for Norway.
EU Spent €7.2 Billion On Russian LNG in 2025, Maximizing Imports Before 2027 Ban Europe keeps buying Russian fuel without any noticeable slowdown with less than 12 months remaining before an EU ban on the import of Russian LNG takes effect. Highlighting the ineffectiveness of existing EU half-measures, including the transshipment ban, Belgium more than doubled its imports from Yamal LNG in 2025, simply keeping LNG once the re-export ban took effect.
Sweden, Finland Urge EU to Tighten Screws on Russian Arctic Shipping With Insurance, Port Bans Sweden and Finland are pushing the EU to toughen sanctions on Russian Arctic shipping, calling for bans on insurance and port repairs for vessels carrying oil, gas and coal. The proposal targets overlooked maritime services seen as vital to keeping Russia’s Arctic energy exports afloat.
Russia Delivers First Domestically Assembled Arc7 LNG Carrier After Years of Sanctions Delays Russia has completed its first domestically assembled Arc7 LNG carrier after years of sanctions-driven delays, offering a rare boost to Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project but underscoring the deep challenges still facing Russia’s shipbuilding ambitions. The vessel will double the project’s winter export capacity.
Britain to Ban Transport of Russian LNG on UK-linked Vessels The UK continues to lead the way against Russia’s LNG sector. New measures will directly target the transport of Russian supercooled gas to markets around the world. The ban will disallow UK-linked companies from carrying the country’s gas or providing maritime services, such as insurance or maintenance, to the vessels.
Germany Signals Green Light to Exit Yamal LNG Deal Under EU’s 19th Sanctions Package Germany may invoke “force majeure” to exit Yamal LNG deal. The EU’s 19th sanctions package provides state-owned SEFE legal cover to exit the Russian LNG contract, Germany says. The news is the first concrete step of long-term purchase agreements being unwound, signaling the beginning of the end for Russian gas exports to Europe.
Russia’s LNG ‘Dark Fleet’ Returns to Norwegian Waters As Winter Closes Northern Sea Route With sea ice closing the Northern Sea Route often poorly insured shadow fleet vessels are again using the ice-free waters of the Barents Sea. A sanctioned LNG carrier traveled up and down Norway’s northern coast in recent days. Several more are set to follow.
EU Talks Tough on Russian LNG, But Buys More Than Ever in 2025 The EU energy double standard continues. Just days after agreeing to stop buying Russian LNG by 2027 new data show that the bloc is importing record-levels of the fuel in 2025, up 7 percent over the same period in 2024. During the first six months of 2025 member states spent €4.5 billion on supercooled gas from Russia.
EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil In a one-two punch new U.S. and EU sanctions target the Russian energy sector, including oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, and the country’s LNG sector. After years of debate the EU has agreed on banning imports of Russian LNG by January 1, 2027; a significant escalation of the bloc’s sanctions regime.
EU Council Agrees on Framework for Phaseout of Russian LNG by 2028 The European Union continues to inch toward a full ban of Russian gas. On Monday the Council of the EU agreed on the framework for the draft legislation which will now be further negotiated with the Parliament and Commission. The regulation proposes a ban by January 1, 2028. It does not mention an accelerated timeline proposed by the Commission earlier this summer.
UK Sanctions Target Russian Arctic LNG, With US Remaining on Sideline and EU Continuing Debate The UK increased pressure on Moscow with sanctions against major Russian oil companies, 44 shadow fleet vessels, and a Chinese gas import terminal. The impact of the sanctions remains to be seen as the US keeps on the sideline and debate in the EU about its 19th sanctions package is ongoing.
EU Imports of Russian Gas Grow Again, Including LNG, Contrasting with Brussels Latest Efforts to Phase Out Supplies European Union countries spent 30 percent more on Russian gas during the first half of 2025 than in 2024. The new figures highlight the bloc’s difficulty to fully wean itself off the supplies as the European Commission aims to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas.
“Time to Turn off the Tap” on Russian LNG Says EU After Trump Pressure Trump's comments trigger renewed efforts by Brussels to phase out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. EU officials now indicate their goal is to ban the supercooled gas by January 2027, a full year ahead of a previously proposed timeline. It is unclear if the Trump Administration will also reengage in sanctioning the Russian LNG sector, it has given a pass to Chinese buyers in recent weeks.
Russian LNG Carrier Stops in Northern Norway’s Honningsvåg, Again Russian liquefied natural gas carriers continue to use Norway’s Arctic fjords as convenient stopover points, exchanging crews and taking on provisions. Over the weekend a Yamal LNG tanker stopped outside Honningsvåg for 18 hours before proceeding to Murmansk.
Norway Worried About a Possible Shadow Fleet by Svalbard A company of unknown origin has applied for a permit to transfer Russian liquefied natural gas from ship to ship in a fjord in Svalbard. The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection fears that this involves ships from the Russian shadow fleet and has asked the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security for advice.
Norway Worried About a Possible Shadow Fleet by Svalbard A company of unknown origin has applied for a permit to transfer Russian liquefied natural gas from ship to ship in a fjord in Svalbard. The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection fears that this involves ships from the Russian shadow fleet and has asked the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security for advice.
Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Sees Flurry of Activity Following Alaska Summit, Including Shipment of Valuable Gas Condensate After months of inactivity Russian gas carriers in the Barents Sea simultaneously lifted their anchors as the Trump-Putin summit took place in Alaska. Then a gas condensate tanker loaded cargo at the Arctic LNG 2 project, a first in 2025.
EU Proposes Phase-Out Of Russian Gas by 2027, Currently Spends €1.5bn Each Month on Imports The European Commission announced the details for its proposed ban of Russian gas and oil. Short-term and new contracts could come to an end in 2026, but the bulk of imports under long-term agreements would continue for another 2.5 years, potentially sending another €30-40 billion to Russia.
Deliveries of Russian LNG from Yamal Hold Steady, EU Transshipment Ban Showing Little Effect Following the EU’s transshipment ban on Russian LNG it remains business as usual for Novatek’s Yamal project. New data show that it shipped out 120 loads of supercooled gas thus far this year – just three less than last year.
EU Sanctions Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels Routinely Passing Through Norwegian Waters, Stopping at Honningsvåg A liquefied natural gas carrier working for Russia’s Yamal LNG project stopped in Honningsvåg in Northern Norway last week. Now the EU has sanctioned the vessel. Will Norwegian authorities put an end to allowing Russian LNG vessels resupplying in the country’s ports?
Russia to Earn $160bn in Taxes From Northern Sea Route by 2035, Arctic Region Accounts for 7.5 Percent of GDP New government figures highlight the critical role the Arctic plays in Russia’s economy. Projects along the main shipping corridor may generate massive tax revenues over the next decade and account for growing share of the country’s export and GDP.
EU Proposes Russian Gas Ban for 2027 But Imports on the Rise Again, Norway Remains Top Supplier After years of debate the European Commission aims to ban Russian gas by the end of 2027. How the proposal will be received across EU capitals remains to be seen, especially in light of recently rising gas imports from Russia. Meanwhile Norway solidly remains the largest supplier providing nearly one-third of EU gas.
Russia’s Arctic ‘Yamal LNG’ Gas Plant Saw a Record 287 Cargo Loadings in 2024 While Western sanctions have impeded or complicated much of Russia’s energy economy, the Yamal LNG plant continues to export liquefied gas like clockwork. Every month around 25 vessels load cargo at the Sabetta terminal, for a total of 287 deliveries in 2024, new data by Center for High North Logistics show.
EU Imports of Russian LNG Decrease by One-Third During Month of April For the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine EU imports of Russian liquefied natural gas have recorded a significant drop. Figures for April indicate a 35 percent reduction in deliveries in comparison to the same period last year. But it remains unclear if the reduction is just a temporary decline or the beginnings of a shift away from supercooled gas from Russia.
China Looking to Buy More Russian Arctic LNG as EU Aims to Announce Plans in May to Phase Out Imports As the EU is gearing up to publish its roadmap to phase out Russian LNG, China’s appetite for deliveries of supercooled gas from the Arctic could see a rise in the coming months. Whether China will also welcome cargoes from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project remains a key question.
Russia Continues Working on Sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 With Wison Power Modules Installation and Gas Flaring New satellite images reveal the progress Novatek has made at the Arctic LNG 2 project. Power units delivered by Chinese company Wison appear installed and recent gas flaring suggest a temporary re-start or test start-up of the facility.
How Russia’s Security Service FSB Gained Control Over the Yamal LNG Fleet Reportedly Setting Up Covert Cargo Operations A targeted operation by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) successfully pushed out Western officers from the Yamal LNG fleet in favor of Russian personnel, a HNN investigation has uncovered. The FSB action establishes significant Russian control over the vessels in support of a possible covert cargo operation between European ports and the Sabetta terminal.
Trump Doubles Down on Alaska LNG Project Citing South Korean, Japanese Support Trump touts plans for “giant” Alaska LNG project with South Korean and Japanese support as he pushes for American energy independence. However, specifics remain scarce and even with Asian support the economics of the project remain in question, especially with a number of cheaper LNG projects coming online in the coming years.
EU Paid Near 300% More for Russian LNG in 2024 Compared to Early 2021 Not only is the EU importing record levels of LNG from Russia, it is also paying a substantially higher price than before the Ukraine War, new Eurostat data reveal. At the end of 2024 the cost was nearly four times as high as at the beginning of 2021.
EU Countries Spent Close to €7bn on Russian LNG in 2024 Europe cannot shake its addiction to Russian liquefied natural gas. Throughout 2024 EU members purchased liquefied gas from Russia worth almost €7bn. Some member states continue to spend more on their purchases of Russian LNG than they provide in military aid to Ukraine.
Russia’s Novatek Eyes India as Market for Sanctioned Arctic LNG Russian liquefied natural gas producer Novatek continues to scour the globe for potential buyers of sanctioned gas from its Arctic LNG 2 project. At an energy conference the company now attempted to make inroads on the Indian market.
Japan and U.S. Looking to Form “Joint Venture” For Alaska LNG Project Japan has signaled support for the $44bn Alaska LNG project. President Trump announced the forming of a “joint venture” during a joint press conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba. The Alaska LNG project has been garnering steam in recent months with the signing of a development agreement.
EU Fails to Act on Russian LNG As Some Member States Discuss Restart of Gas Imports After War Russian liquefied natural gas receives a pass in the latest round of EU sanctions. The European Commission will not be including new significant measures against the supercooled gas from Russia. The bloc imported record amounts from Russia in 2024.
Germany Can’t Shake Russian Gas: LNG Purchases from Arctic Yamal Project Skyrocket Germany joined France, Belgium, and Spain as key importers of Russian LNG in 2024, a new study reveals. German energy company SEFE, federally-owned by the government, imported 58 shipments from Yamal LNG into the EU port of Dunkirk, a 650 percent increase over 2023. Some of this Russian LNG finds its way into Germany counter to its government’s assurances that it does not import Russian gas.
Novatek Executive Traveling to Brussels to Soften EU Stance on Russian LNG, Sources Say A senior Novatek executive is reportedly traveling to Brussels in an attempt to moderate Europe’s position on Russian liquefied natural gas. The EU remains a key destination for Russian LNG, but an increasing number of member states are working towards a ban.
Trump Signs Order to Maximize Resource Development in Alaska President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aiming to boost Alaska's oil, gas, and other natural resource development. Alaska is still a high-risk, high-cost prospect for exploration in untouched areas, a longtime oil and gas journalist points out.
Ten EU Member States Urge Ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Ramping Up Pressure on Yamal LNG A coalition of ten EU member states is urging Brussels to take steps to ban or at a minimum begin phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. Pressure on Russian oil and gas is at an all time high following U.S. sanctions against dozens of Arctic tankers and two LNG plants.
Ten EU Member States Urge Ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Ramping Up Pressure on Yamal LNG A coalition of ten EU member states is urging Brussels to take steps to ban or at a minimum begin phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports. Pressure on Russian oil and gas is at an all time high following U.S. sanctions against dozens of Arctic tankers and two LNG plants.
Alaska Looking to Re-Enter Global LNG Market with Massive $44bn Project The proposed Alaska LNG project has taken its next hurdle with the signing of a development agreement. The $44bn project would see Alaska export up to 20m tonnes of LNG per year starting in 2031.
EU Imports More Russian LNG in 2024 Than Ever Before, Mostly From Arctic While the EU’s imports of liquefied natural gas from around the world decreased by 20 percent, deliveries from Russia set a new record in 2024. An increasing amount of Russian LNG is now sold on the spot market. Traders prefer cheaper Russian LNG rather than buying from the U.S. or elsewhere.
EU Importers Preparing to Implement March 2025 Transshipment Ban for Russian LNG With the EU’s sanctions on the transfer of Russian LNG just three months away operators in France and Belgium are putting in place procedures to now longer conduct transshipments. The upcoming ban affects around 20 percent of Russian LNG from the Arctic.
Russian Sovcomflot to Operate Sanctioned Zvezda Arc7 LNG Carrier for Arctic LNG 2 Despite mounting Western sanctions Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot appears set to operate ice-capable LNG carriers for Arctic LNG 2 currently under construction in Russia. New photos show the SCF logo being painted on the side of the lead vessel,Aleksey Kosygin.
Germany Rejects Vessel Carrying Russian Arctic LNG, But Continues Indirect Imports Via EU Neighbors Germany’s Ministry of the Economy instructed a state-owned LNG terminal operator to reject a shipment of Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas. The decision affirms the country’s position to not directly import Russian gas via pipeline or as LNG. But German imports of the country’s gas continue indirectly via the continent’s gas network.
European Commission’s Von Der Leyen Suggests EU Could Replace Russian LNG with U.S. Supply Political discussions surrounding EU’s imports of Russian liquefied natural gas continue at the highest level. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen broached the subject with re-elected President Trump suggesting supplies from the U.S. could help the continent reduce imports from Russia.
Trump Presidency Could be Good News for Russia’s Arctic LNG Projects, Though Exact Policy Shift Hard to Predict The upcoming Trump presidency could provide some relief for Russia’s Arctic LNG project, experts told HNN. Existing sanctions may be eased and new ones could become less likely. The U.S.’ own LNG ambitions, however, could result in price pressure presenting a challenge to Arctic LNG 2 and Novatek.
EU Efforts to Reduce Russian LNG Ring Hollow as Imports Reach New High The EU and its member states remain unable to control the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Despite voluntary measures and repeated discussions in Brussels, imports have now reached new record highs. The upcoming transshipment ban in March 2025 could inadvertently further increase imports.
Belgium Pushes For Creation of EU-Wide Tracking System for Russian LNG EU member state officials continue discussions on how best to curb the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Now Belgium has proposed an LNG tracker to ensure that existing and upcoming sanctions are effectively implemented.
Norway Implements New Sanctions, But Russian LNG Vessels Still Allowed to Stop at Honningsvåg Norway passed a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, including the import and transshipment of liquefied natural gas. But the latest measures do not address the continued use of Norwegian port facilities by LNG carriers in service of Russia. Danish shipyard Fayard A/S similarly continues providing drydock services, with another Arc7 LNG carrier now at the Odense facility.
Norway Implements New Sanctions, But Russian LNG Vessels Still Allowed to Stop at Honningsvåg Norway passed a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, including the import and transshipment of liquefied natural gas. But the latest measures do not address the continued use of Norwegian port facilities by LNG carriers in service of Russia. Danish shipyard Fayard A/S similarly continues providing drydock services, with another Arc7 LNG carrier now at the Odense facility.
EU Approach to Russian LNG Remains Fractured as Dutch Imports Increase The upcoming EU transshipment ban for Russia LNG may already be having an unintended consequence: more imports of liquefied natural gas into the EU. But experts contend it is too early to tell and call for an EU-wide approach, rather than individual actions by member states.
