According to reports, for the first time since October 2024, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier named Iris has docked at the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 terminal. This move indicates the Russian Federation’s efforts to resume LNG exports despite ongoing Western restrictions.
This is reported by Business • Media
Attempts to Restore Exports through Arctic LNG-2
Overall, Russia has engaged at least 13 vessels to service Arctic LNG-2. The significant interest in these shipments is driven by the country’s desire to offset losses from Western sanctions, which have severely complicated the transportation of liquefied gas abroad.
“If the Russian Federation can find buyers, this small fleet will be sufficient for transporting the cargo,” analysts say.
Sanctions and Future Transportation Prospects
The tanker Iris has already left the Arctic LNG-2 terminal and is heading to Murmansk, where it is expected to arrive on July 1. It remains unknown whether gas was successfully loaded onto this vessel. As is known, in October of last year, LNG production was nearly completely halted due to challenging climatic conditions – ice formed around the plant, effectively blocking transportation. In November 2024, it was reported that Arctic LNG-2 had reduced extraction from gas fields to nearly zero due to intensified Western sanctions.
If Iris does indeed pick up gas from Arctic LNG-2, this will mark the ninth LNG shipment sent from this terminal. The previous shipment was dispatched on October 5, 2024. At that time, the U.S. State Department tightened restrictions by imposing sanctions on the owners and managers of several vessels for transporting LNG, including Iris (formerly known as North Sky). The Arctic LNG-2 project itself also remains under sanction pressure.