Ship tracking data compiled by Kpler and cited by Bloomberg shows that the Merkuriy has docked at the port next to the Saam floating storage facility near the city of Murmansk in western Russia.
The Saam facility is on the sanctions list, used to store LNG from the LNG 2 Arctic project - a project under Western sanctions.
The deployment of the Merkuriy ship marks a significant step forward in Russia's efforts to build a fleet capable of evading international sanctions.
This ship is relatively old for a LNG tanker and has been transferred ownership to Celtic Maritime & Trading SA - a company that has not previously made much of an impression in the sea transport industry.
This ship is 1 of at least 4 old Oman oil tankers that have recently switched to flying the Russian flag and moved to the Arctic region to support Russia's oil exports.
These developments take place in the context of the global energy market being disrupted. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz blockading about 1/5 of the world's gas supply, pushing oil and gas prices up and forcing Asian importers to look for alternative sources.
To attract customers with large energy demands, Russia is selling oil and gas at a sharp decrease compared to spot prices on the market.
Although US and European sanctions have significantly limited production at new facilities such as LNG 2 Arctic, the expansion of a specialized fleet could help Russia overcome traditional transportation barriers and increase deliveries to trading partners in the East.
In addition to Merkuriy, ship tracking data shows 3 other oil tankers with similar characteristics are on their way to or have arrived in the Arctic region.
