Sanctioned Vessels Carry Critical Modules to Arctic LNG 2 Project

Two U.S.-sanctioned heavy-lift vessels, Glory and Bright, are carrying critical power-generation modules from China toward Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project. The shipment is the latest sign that supply chains supporting the sanctioned liquefied natural gas project remain operational despite Western efforts to disrupt them.

The modules, designated 2-PGM-002 and 2-PGM-004, are the final two of four onshore power plant modules originally fabricated at Wison's Zhoushan facility for the second train of Novatek's Arctic LNG 2 project. Their arrival would allow Novatek to complete the electrical power system for Train 2, which has so far operated on a single string and has therefore been limited to roughly half of its 6.6 million metric tons per year design capacity.

The shipment also highlights a continuing logistics channel between Chinese heavy-industry suppliers and Arctic LNG 2, despite U.S. sanctions that have targeted both the project and companies involved in manufacturing and transporting its equipment. The modules were loaded at Zhangjiagang port in eastern China between Sept. 6 and Sept. 10 and subsequently headed north toward the Sea of Japan and likely the Northern Sea Route.