Russia Deploys Single Icebreaker Ship To Export LNG From Sanctioned Arctic Project

Moscow is employing a single icebreaker vessel to ship LNG from a US-sanctioned project in the Arctic this winter season.

This highlights that Russia is facing a shortage of vessels to ship its cargo.

The Christophe De Margerie berthed at the Arctic LNG 2 Export Facility today and will export its third shipment since December 20, 2025, per reports.

The other two shipments were delivered to the Saam floating storage unit in Russia’s western Murmansk region.

Fuel in that storage facility is usually loaded onto regular vessels and goes to China, which is the only buyer of sanctioned Russian LNG.

The tanker is the only one in the shadow fleet that can navigate the icy waters throughout the year.

The ice near the plant can become so thick that conventional vessels cannot traverse the waters in harsh winter conditions. Last month, one ship had to stop midway due to ice.

This will continue till the eastern route reopens after the ice melts in summer.

It is important for Russia to continue exports since it is struggling to increase its LNG sales amidst strict sanctions and after losing Europe as its major buyer.

Arctic LNG 2 had to reduce production last year due to increasing storage and a lack of ships to transport the cargo.

Just one icebreaker is making it possible for the facility to operate at 25% of its current capacity.

Russia’s first indigenously built ice-class LNG tanker, Alexey Kosygin, is heading towards the Arctic and could help export more cargo from the plant.

Source: Maritime Shipping News