CREA identifies nine confirmed 'shadow' LNG carriers serving Russia

Russia may have up to 50 'shadow' LNG carriers available, nine of which have been confirmed, according to an analysis published on 23 August by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). It names Pioneer, Asya Energy and Everest Energy, and cites satellite images that may show Pioneer loading at Arctic LNG 2. The nine confirmed vessels could carry a combined 7.5 TWh per trip, which CREA calculates would move about 53% of Arctic LNG 2's output to China, or 72% to India via the Suez Canal. By comparison, 64 vessels shipped Russian LNG in 2024. CREA notes that shadow tankers' share of Russian oil shipments rose from 13% before 2022 to 80%.

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