Marine vessels

The vessel was involved in the transportation of fossil fuels from the Arctic LNG-2 facility in circumvention of sanctions, using a scheme of false AIS signalling in violation of international maritime law to conceal the vessel's true location. In early August 2024, satellite imagery revealed that the vessel was located at the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project, with its AIS signal still north of Norway. The vessel was escorted by an icebreaker as it headed towards the Gulf of Ob and the gas project. On or about 06 August 2024, the vessel returned to its doctored position to integrate its transponder signal. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of the sanctioned Novatek (TIN 6316031581) for natural gas extraction and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on seven LNG tankers of the shadow russian tanker fleet, as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the Arctic LNG-2 and other future energy projects. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

It is involved in the transportation of fossil fuels from the Arctic LNG-2 facility in violation of international maritime law, using so-called spoofing to conceal the vessel's true location. On 08 August 2024, the vessel began broadcasting a falsified AIS signal in the Barents Sea, which allowed it to leave the area undetected. On 10 August 2024, the vessel was detected by satellite imagery at the Arctic LNG-2 project, while its AIS signal remained off the coast of Norway. "Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity LNG project, after Yamal LNG, of the sanctioned Novatek (TIN 6316031581) for natural gas production and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on seven LNG tankers of the shadow russian tanker fleet, as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the Arctic LNG-2 and other future energy projects. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector.

It is affiliated with the russian LNG tanker fleet, which is involved in expanding russia's export capabilities in terms of LNG trade, including from the sanctioned large-capacity Arctic LNG-2 project of sanctioned PJSC Novatek. The vessel is involved in the transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of PJSC Novatek) through European ports. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of PJSC Novatek (TIN: 6316031581) for natural gas production and LNG production on the Gydansky Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

It is involved in the transportation of fossil fuels from the Arctic LNG-2 facility in violation of international maritime law, using so-called spoofing to conceal the vessel's true location. On 25 August 2024, the vessel was moored near Line 1 of the Arctic LNG-2 facility, and at 22:27 the tanker stopped transmitting the falsified AIS signal. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity LNG project after Yamal LNG of the sanctioned Novatek (TIN: 6316031581) for natural gas production and liquefied natural gas production on the Gydansky Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the russian government. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on seven LNG tankers of the shadow russian tanker fleet, as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the Arctic LNG-2 and other future energy projects.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

The vessel was involved in the offloading of fossil fuels produced at the sanctioned russian Arctic LNG-2 facility on 25 August 2024 by STS north of the Suez Canal, with AIS disabled, in violation of international maritime law, from the sanctioned LNG tanker ‘Pioneer’. ‘Arctic LNG-2' is the second large-capacity project of the sanctioned Novatek PJSC for natural gas extraction and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula after Yamal LNG. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the LNG tanker ‘Pioneer’ as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the russian ‘Arctic LNG-2’ and other future energy projects. On 05 September 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the LNG tanker ‘New Energy’ as part of the expansion of restrictive measures against the russian energy sector in connection with attempts to export LNG from the sanctioned ‘Arctic LNG-2’. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector.

The non-ice-class vessel is involved in the transportation of russian LNG, including from facilities located in the Arctic zone, in particular, with the AIS signal switched off and frequent course deviations. The vessel has a permit issued by the State Budgetary Institution ‘Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route’, which is founded by the russian federation, to sail along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along the following route: western border of the NSR - Kara Sea - Gulf of Ob - port of Sabetta - western border of the NSR. The vessel is affiliated through related companies, in particular the sanctioned Sun Ship Management and Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO, with the sanctioned Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: ‘Sakhalin-1‘, ‘Sakhalin-2‘, ‘Varandey’, ‘Prirazlomnoye’, ‘Novy Port’, ‘Yamal LNG’ and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels, including LNG tankers, to the ownership of companies it had set up in foreign jurisdictions in order to circumvent them, starting the practice of constantly ‘juggling’ (transferring) vessels to related companies. The tankers ‘re-registered’ by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies, according to expert estimates, are part of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products and liquefied gas under sanctions. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 5 LNG tankers, including the ‘SCF La Perouse’ (current name: ‘La Perouse’), involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.

In August 2024, the first shipments/reloadings of STS LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 facility were recorded by vessels that were subsequently sanctioned by partners. At the same time, there is a possibility that earlier than in August 2024, the LNG carrier 'Christophe De Margerie' shipped the first batch of LNG from 'Arctic LNG-2' to Europe, the shipment operation was carried out in the period of June 06-11, 2024, but it was not a full batch, but a blend of LNG from 'Yamal LNG'. In the period from June 08-09, June 09-10, 2024, the vessel carried out the so-called “dark” activity near the port of Sabetta in the Gulf of Ob. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of Novatek's sanctioned project for natural gas extraction and liquefied natural gas production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and the United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. The LNG carrier 'Christophe de Margerie' is linked to Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), which is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC 'Sovcomflot', the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, liquefied gas against the background of sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, etc. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers transferred by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is the only floating regasification vessel in russia that can be used for LNG transportation. The vessel was built in 2018, designed to operate in low temperatures (down to -30°C) and equipped with anti-icing equipment. The Arc4 ice class allows it to operate in average annual ice thicknesses of up to 0.9 m. The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Gazprom Fleet LLC (TIN 7740000037, sanctioned by USA and Ukraine), a 100% subsidiary of PJSC Gazprom specializing in the implementation of a unified technical policy in the development of gas and oil fields on the continental shelf of the russian federation. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel 'MARSHAL VASILEVSKIY'.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian LNG to third countries, including with the AIS system disabled. On September 4, 2024, the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route" issued a permit for the Ice2 ice-class vessel 'VELIKIY NOVGOROD' to sail in the waters of the Northern Sea Route on the route "Western/Eastern border of the Northern Sea Route - Port of Sabetta - Eastern/Western border of the Northern Sea Route" based on the application of Alexandria Seaways Ltd dated September 4, 2024. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker 'VELIKIY NOVGOROD'. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.