Russia expands shadow LNG shipping operations, deploys 19-year-old oil tanker

```htmlGolden Ten Data reported on June 29 that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has docked at a Russian gas storage facility in the Murmansk region affected by U.S. sanctions. This marks the vessel's first loading of blacklisted natural gas and is the latest sign of Moscow disregarding Western sanctions and striving to expand exports. The "Arctic Express" tanker, which began operation in 2007 and switched to Russian registry in May this year, loaded the LNG at the Sam Floating Storage Facility. The storage facility contains gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project; both Sam and Arctic LNG 2 are subject to U.S. sanctions. This transport indicates that Russia is continuing to expand its fleet to circumvent Western restrictions. An analysis of tracking data shows that at least 21 vessels, including the "Arctic Express," have been used to transport LNG from sanctioned Russian projects. Currently, the biggest obstacle facing exports from the Arctic LNG 2 project remains a shortage of vessels that can deliver natural gas to potential buyers.```