Russia's Second Arctic LNG Carrier Sets Sail Amid Ongoing Sanctions

Russia's second domestically-built ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Konstantin Posiet, has set sail from Bolshoy Kamen Bay in Primorsky Krai. The vessel departed on August 14 and is currently traversing the Northern Sea Route, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).

The Konstantin Posiet represents another step for Russia in overcoming Western sanctions that aim to curb its gas exports and revenue from the war in Ukraine. Built at the Zvezda shipyard, one of Russia's most advanced facilities, the tanker will serve the Arctic LNG 2 plant, which is subject to U.S. sanctions.

The Konstantin Posiet is expected to arrive at its destination on August 30, although the exact destination has not been specified. Zvezda specializes in building large Arc7 ice-class tankers capable of breaking through ice up to two meters thick. The shipyard was initially set to build 15 tankers for the Arctic LNG-2 project, but sanctions have caused delays.