Ship without ice-breaking capability “risks” transporting Russian LNG across the Arctic

In a risky move to bypass Western sanctions, Russia's top LNG producer Novatek has dispatched a ship called Everest Energy to carry cargo through the icy waters of the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

This is the first time a conventional cargo ship without icebreaking capabilities has attempted to pass through this sea route without the assistance of specialized icebreakers.

The voyage highlights the escalating risks of shipping goods in the Arctic. Everest Energy did not receive a permit from the Northern Sea Route Administration, Russia’s Arctic shipping licensing agency.

Everest Energy picked up a cargo from Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 plant in northeastern Russia late last week and is now en route to Asia via the Northern Sea Route, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

The vessel, built in 2003, was placed on the US sanctions list last month for its alleged involvement in a “dark fleet” of Russian LNG. Everest Energy also had its shipping certificate permanently revoked by Palau last week.

Older vessels like this are believed to be being used to transport LNG from Russia’s Arctic project. Pictured is the Asya Energy vessel, then called LNG Rivers, which was 22 years old. Photo: High North News

Since 2017, the Northern Sea Route has seen hundreds of shipments of LNG from the Yamal LNG project to market using specialized ice-capable vessels. But Everest Energy is the first non-icebreaker vessel to attempt to transport cargo through the 3,500-nautical-mile (6,482-kilometer) route.

The ship, which set off late on September 6, entered the Kara Sea heading east toward Asia. Arctic sea ice is typically at its lowest point in mid-September.

Everest Energy’s final destination remains unclear. The vessel could be delivering gas to the Koryak fuel storage facility on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula or to an import terminal in Asia.

“It is not yet known whether Everest Energy will be escorted away from Wrangel Island, as there is a lot of ice. We will see more clearly the risks that ships without icebreakers face when moving alone,” said Professor Hervé Baudu, an Arctic shipping expert and head of the Department of Maritime Education at the French Maritime Academy (ENSM).

The move shows Russia's efforts to expand gas supplies to the market amid a series of US sanctions targeting Moscow's flagship LNG plant in the Arctic and specialized icebreakers.

Arctic LNG 2 began production last December, but US sanctions following Russia's campaign in Ukraine delayed exports for months.

The facility began shipping goods to market in August this year via vessels with unclear owners who conceal their locations, typical of “shadow fleet” vessels used to circumvent Western restrictions.

US sanctions have targeted nine LNG tankers involved in the project. The Pacific island nation of Palau has temporarily suspended the flags of five vessels pending an investigation into the shipping activities of the vessels, including Everest Energy, Asya Energy, New Energy and Pioneer.

Without the registration, ships could have trouble navigating regulated international straits, such as the Suez Canal. The flag suspension also prevents Asya Energy and New Energy – two LNG carriers licensed from the project – from continuing their journeys.

Asya Energy was sailing along the Norwegian coast when its flag was suspended. The vessel returned to Russian waters days later and has since transferred its cargo to a floating LNG barge, Saam FSU. After taking on cargo during a ship-to-ship transfer with Pioneer, New Energy has now been idled north of the Suez Canal for two weeks.

Minh Duc (According to gCaptain, Bloomberg)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tau-khong-co-kha-nang-pha-bang-danh-lieu-cho-lng-cua-nga-qua-bac-cuc-204240910153941504.htm