Russia deploys new ice-class LNG carrier on Arctic route

Russia has deployed its second domestically-built ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Konstantin Posiet, to navigate the Northern Sea Route. The vessel departed from Bolshoy Kamen Bay in Primorsky Krai and is expected to reach its destination by August 30.

Built at the Zvezda shipyard, the Arc7 ice-class tanker is designed to operate in harsh Arctic conditions, capable of breaking through ice up to two meters thick. The ship is intended to support the Arctic LNG 2 project, which is currently under United States sanctions.

The deployment of these specialized vessels is part of a strategic effort by Moscow to bypass Western sanctions aimed at limiting energy revenues. With the addition of the Konstantin Posiet, Russia now has three ice-class LNG tankers available to transport gas via the Arctic route, which offers a shorter distance to Asian markets than the traditional Suez Canal route. While Zvezda was originally tasked with building 15 tankers for the Arctic LNG 2 project, sanctions have caused significant delays in the program.