Bloomberg reported that satellite images showed a second LNG tanker docked at an export terminal in northern Russia, which is under US sanctions.
According to satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, the shape and length of the ship is about 290 meters, matching the Asya Energy ship.
This ship appeared after Bloomberg reported that Russian LNG producer Novatek appeared to have loaded the ship with the first cargo from the Arctic LNG 2 project.
Satellite images of the project site on Russia's Arctic Gydan Peninsula taken on August 1 show an LNG tanker moored next to Ship 1 of the Arctic LNG 2 project, believed to be the Pioneer.
The Asya Energy ship is said to be one of the "shadow ships" that Russia is establishing to transport gas to customers, similar to a "shadow fleet" to circumvent sanctions targeting Moscow's oil export activities. .
Traders are still closely watching the Pioneer - the first ship to dock at the Arctic LNG 2 project, which is struggling to start exports due to Western restrictions - as it heads to Europe.
The US imposed sanctions last November to prevent Russia from exporting liquefied natural gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project. Although the facility began production in December, it was unable to begin operations. LNG transport because sanctions have prevented foreign companies, and there is a lack of specialized ships that can break ice.
Asya Energy is managed by Ocean Speedstar Solutions, according to global shipping database Equasis.
Ocean Speedstar did not respond to several requests for comment. Novatek, the leader of the Arctic LNG2 project, did not comment on the arrival of any ships or images of LNG being loaded onto ships.
