A U.S.-sanctioned LNG tanker, the Iris (formerly North Sky), has been tracked docking at Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 export facility, marking a notable development in Moscow’s efforts to bypass Western restrictions. Built to operate in icy waters, the Iris loaded cargo from the LNG 2 plant after changing its commercial manager to the Moscow-based Elegest OOO in late April.
If Iris successfully delivers its cargo, it will represent the ninth LNG shipment from the project, reviving exports that were halted due to U.S. sanctions since October 2024. The Russian plant has faced logistical challenges amid these restrictions, but the arrival of Iris signals a possible restart in operations.
In parallel, Russia’s first domestically built ice-class LNG tanker, Alexey Kosygin, is undergoing final sea trials ahead of its anticipated entry into service later this year. Designed to operate in extreme Arctic conditions, the vessel is part of a broader fleet expansion to support Arctic LNG 2 exports.
Already under U.S. sanctions, Alexey Kosygin represents Moscow’s strategic response to shipping bottlenecks caused by sanctions. The new vessel is expected to alleviate export constraints and bolster Russia’s presence in the global LNG market
