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.
Russian ‘Zombie Tanker’ Sails Up Norwegian Coastline After Being Blocked by German Police Germany has taken the unprecedented step of barring a notorious “zombie tanker” from its Baltic waters after uncovering forged registration and serious safety concerns. The aging shadow-fleet vesselTavianhas since sailed north past Norway toward the Arctic, highlighting the growing risks and cat-and-mouse dynamics of Russia’s sanctions-evasion oil trade.
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’s Arctic Shipping Route Turns Into “Dark Fleet” Corridor Used by 100 Sanctioned Vessels One third of Arctic shipping traffic along the Northern Sea Route involves sanctioned vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet, a new report warns. The figures include 38 sanctioned oil tankers, often poorly maintained and insured and frequently without ice-classification. Russian officials have also stopped publishing data about activity on the route, further reducing available information and increasing risk.
UK Maritime Services Ban on Russian LNG Threatens Seapeak’s Arctic Yamal Fleet The UK maritime services ban will apply to Seapeak Maritime (Glasgow) Ltd., a key provider of shipping services to Russia’s Yamal LNG project, the government confirmed to HNN. Without Seapeak’s six Arc7 LNG carriers the project would face significant logistical challenges. The upcoming EU import ban will further complicate the project’s future.
Norway and Russia Have Agreed on Date for Fisheries Negotiations After much uncertainty, this year's fisheries negotiations between Norway and Russia will now be held digitally at the start of December.
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.
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.
US Sanctions Against Russian LNG Start to Fray as Chinese Arctic Construction Yard Seeks Lifting of Measures Ten months into the Trump Administration Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 operation continues to pick up steam as the White House has not announced any new sanctions against the sector. Now a Chinese manufacturer who previously provided LNG modules to Russia is seeking removal from the sanctions list. On the EU side two Arctic heavy lift vessels,AudaxandPugnax, were unsanctioned last week.
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.
Russia Warns Norway of Retaliation Over Fishing Companies Ban: “Must Be Taken Seriously” "The fisheries cooperation between Norway and Russia has survived several previous crises, but none can be compared to the situation we are currently facing," says Anne-Kristin Jørgensen, Senior Researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
A Breakdown That Could Lead to an Ecological Disaster Comment: If anyone still wonders whether Norway is deeply involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, they should take a look at the threats against the Norwegian-Russian fisheries agreement. Add a US threat to the Norwegian Oil Fund, and a perfect storm is brewing around two of our most important resources.
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.
Norway to Inspect Sanctioned Tankers in Efforts To Curb Russian Shadow Fleet Norway has announced to begin inspecting foreign-flagged tankers passing through its waters. The measures follow similar policies by Norway’s European neighbors in an effort to curb Russian shadow fleet activity and ensure that vessels carry appropriate levels of insurance coverage.
French Shipyard Halts Service for Russian LNG Fleet, Leaving Danish Yard as Sole Western Provider A French shipyard’s decision to stop servicing Russian liquefied natural gas vessels isolates the country’s Arctic fleet, shifts maintenance burden to Danish yard. The move further tightens logistical constraints on Moscow’s exports ahead of broader planned EU sanctions to fully phase out Russian gas imports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Sanctions Catch Up to Chinese Supplier Wison for Illicit Delivery of a Power Plant to Arctic LNG 2 As part of a massive sanctions package days before the end of the Biden administration, the U.S. blocked a key Chinese technology provider, Zhoushan Wison Offshore and Marine. The company had been the focus of a HNN investigation in October 2024.
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.
Cargo Shipment from Belgium to Russia Highlights Continued Flow of LNG Technology from EU A cargo delivery from Antwerp in Belgium to Novatek’s Yamal LNG plant in the Russian Arctic raises questions about the effectiveness of EU sanctions. The Antwerp shipment is part of a much larger problem. By some accounts European companies have supplied more $600m worth of equipment to Russia since the beginning of the war.
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.
Arctic LNG 2 Facing Vessel Shortage as Zvezda Shipyard Delays Delivery, Japanese MOL Exits Charter Contract Sanctions continue to impact Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project. Japanese operator Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is looking to step away from the project and ice-capable LNG tankers under construction at Russia’s own Zvezda shipyard have been delayed again.
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.
China’s Wison New Energies At Risk of Sanctions U.S. Official Says as the Delivery of Arctic LNG Power Plant Imminent China's Wison New Energies exposes itself to significant sanctions risk if it delivers the power plant to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, a U.S. state department official stated to HNN. Two of the three vessels carrying the massive modules have now arrived at Russia’s doorstep after a month-long voyage across the partly ice-cover Arctic.
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.
Wison Modules En Route to Arctic LNG Project In Defiance of Sanctions A Chinese-manufactured power plant for a sanctioned Russian LNG project continues to inch closer to the Arctic. Three heavy lift vessels have reached the northern Pacific and are days from passing through the Bering Strait.
Novatek Denies Involvement With Arctic ‘Shadow Fleet’, Official Records Suggest Otherwise Russia's largest natural gas producers Novatek, issued a forceful statement that it is not involved in the establishment of the LNG shadow fleet. However, sanctions documents and a company report showing office addresses and ownership structures tie the company to the operation.
Russia Still Second Largest Gas Provider to EU, After Norway, with LNG Imports Increasing Despite the EU’s efforts to phase out imports of Russian LNG, the super-chilled gas from the Arctic continues to flow unabated into the continent. Imports have increased by 11 percent during the first half of 2024 new data show, with Russia now the second-largest supplier.
“If We Stop the Oil, We Stop the War” Arendal (High North News): The EU's sanctions package against Russia has become so extensive that it is nearly impossible not to violate them. "If the purpose is to stop the war in Ukraine, it must be easier for all parties," says Aage Borchgrevink from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
Russian LNG Carrier Goes Dark in Norway’s Arctic Waters to Circumvent Sanctions A Russia-affiliated LNG carrier circled for two weeks to the North of Norway. It disappeared sending out false vessel tracking signals, traveled to sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 and reappeared this week off Norway’s coast.
EU Bans Resale of Russian LNG, Impacts Remain to be Seen After much debate and wrangling the EU and its member states are set to sanction the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas in EU ports. It will take months for the impact of the ban, which is suggested to come into effect in March 2025, to become apparent. In anticipation of sanctions Novatek has begun assembling a growing fleet of LNG carriers.
