Russia prepares for new EU sanctions, expands shadow LNG tanker fleet

In the first half of the year, Russia has been deploying every effort and resource to expand its LNG tanker fleet. The acquisition of new transport capacity is intended to ensure continuity in Russia's liquefied gas exports even next year. From January, an EU sanctions package will enter into force that is set to effectively end Russian LNG in Europe. A larger fleet of vessels is meant to broaden Russia's options for circumventing this blanket ban and retaining at least part of its European market. As the data show, that market is at a record high this year.

Shadow LNG fleet: Russia buys older vessels but is also building new ones

According to data from maritime company Windward, Russia has expanded its shadow fleet by eight LNG tankers over the past six months. Russians managed to build two of them themselves at the Zvezda shipyard, while the other six were purchased second-hand.