Sanctioned Russian LNG Facility Set to Restart Exports After 8-Month Hiatus

For the first time in eight months, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker appears to have docked at Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 export terminal—despite US sanctions aimed at halting its operations.

As reported by Bloomberg on June 26, ship-tracking data shows that the vessel Iris—formerly known as North Sky—was moored at the Arctic LNG 2 facility early Friday. The terminal hasn’t shipped LNG since October, when tightening US restrictions and heavy ice buildup forced a halt in production.

While it’s unclear whether the Iris will actually load LNG, the vessel’s Arc4 ice-class rating means it could potentially attempt the shorter Arctic route to Asia if summer conditions allow. However, shifting ice and sanctions-related uncertainty continue to complicate any such journey.

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According to Bloomberg, Russia had aimed to triple LNG exports by 2030, but that ambition has been significantly curtailed by Western sanctions. The Arctic LNG 2 facility—owned primarily by Novatek PJSC—was sanctioned by the US in 2023, along with tankers like the Iris, in a bid to cut off revenue from Russia’s energy exports following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Last summer, Arctic LNG 2 managed to load eight shipments onto so-called shadow fleet  vessels, but none were successfully delivered due to sanctions.

The Iris is currently heading for the port of Sabetta, which also services the Yamal LNG project—a separate facility not under sanctions, Bloomberg reported. This could mean the tanker’s route and cargo destination are still subject to change.

Earlier, Russia carried out its first documented naval escort of sanctioned tankers through the English Channel, indicating a shift in its strategy toward maritime sanctions enforcement.

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