Russia Executes Uncommon Dual Ship-to-Ship LNG Transfer to Navigate New EU Sanctions

Just a few days after the EU imposed a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) transshipments, Russia made headlines by deploying four LNG carriers for an unusual double ship-to-ship transfer at Kildin anchorage, located near Murmansk. These vessels are transporting supercooled gas sourced from the Yamal LNG project,which is managed by Novatek,a prominent Russian company.

The operation involved two ice-capable Arc7 carriers—Nikolay Urvantsev and Vladimir Rusanov—both operated by Mitsui O.S.K.Lines Ltd. They met up with two lower-ice class ships, Lena River and Clean vision, managed by Dynagas.Satellite imagery and AIS data revealed that these four vessels were paired together just south of Kildin Island between March 28 and March 31. Typically, such ship-to-ship transfers take about 36 to 48 hours to complete.

Lena River set sail from China over three months ago in late December 2024 but spent several weeks idling in various northern seas before this operation. Simultaneously occurring, Clean Vision departed Mirs Bay near Shenzhen at the end of February. The Arc7 carriers Nikolay Urvantsev and Vladimir Rusanov left the Yamal LNG plant roughly a week prior to their rendezvous.

Since early 2020, Novatek has primarily utilized the Fluxys terminal in Zeebrugge, Belgium for reloading most of its LNG shipments while also tapping into Montoir in France for additional volumes. However, as of March 27th with new sanctions under the EU’s latest package taking effect, these terminals are now off-limits.

Before this shift in strategy began around 2020 due to political pressures from U.S. officials regarding operations near Honningsvåg in northern Norway—where Novatek had previously conducted numerous STS transfers—the company relied heavily on those routes for several dozen cargoes between 2018 and early 2020.

Typically used during winter months to reduce travel time for Arc7 tankers significantly—by about four to five days—the Kildin transfer point is becoming increasingly vital as traditional options dwindle due to geopolitical tensions.

In recent years leading up to now, Novatek has completed around twelve STS operations annually at this site; though, that number is projected to rise sharply moving forward. In just the first quarter of 2025 alone—as reported by trade intelligence firm Kpler—there have already been thirteen transfers recorded including last weekend’s notable double transshipment event.

Stay updated with daily maritime insights! Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter today—it’s trusted by over 108k members!