In a new analysis published on Friday 23 August, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) warned of the appearance of “shadow” liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, designed to circumvent Western sanctions targeting Russia’s LNG revenues.
Similar to the tactics used for oil exports (see EUROPE 13316/3, 13077/20), unknown companies buy and register old ships in non-sanctioned countries, whose insurance is possibly managed by Russian companies.
CREA indicates that there could be as many as 50 vessels of this type, nine of which are currently identified as “shadow” vessels by the research centre.
The appearance of this fleet may suggest that Russia is preparing for new Western sanctions or a possible EU embargo on Russian LNG (see EUROPE 13438/3).
At the beginning of August, satellite images were used to detect what is believed to be the first “shadow” tanker, the Pioneer, loading gas from the Arctic LNG-2 project targeted by Western sanctions.
The research centre calls on the Western powers not to repeat the mistakes of the past, when they reacted “late and inadequately” to the initial use of “shadow” oil tankers.
The measures proposed for ships carrying LNG involve imposing stricter surveillance, ensuring greater transparency regarding ship ownership and insurance, and rapidly blocking ships involved in sanctions violations.
To see the CREA analysis: https://aeur.eu/f/da1 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)