Merkuriy loads gas from sanctioned Saam storage unit
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 10
Merkuriy loads gas from sanctioned Saam storage unit
12 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 10
The Russian-flagged LNG tanker docked near Murmansk after switching flag and ownership earlier this year, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Kpler.
Saam is a floating storage unit used to hold LNG from the blacklisted Arctic LNG 2 project, linking the cargo to a US-sanctioned export chain.
The move signals Moscow's effort to build a dark fleet to keep Arctic LNG 2 shipments moving despite Western restrictions.
As Western sanctions tighten, can Russia's expanding 'dark fleet' outmaneuver the global crackdown on its energy trade?
With Russia's uninsured shadow fleet growing, who pays for the next major environmental disaster in international waters?
Can Russia’s shadow fleet survive if the West cuts off its access to Starlink and cryptocurrency platforms?
Russia’s Shadow LNG Fleet: How 632 Vessels Are Evading Sanctions and Reshaping Global Gas Markets (May 2026 Report)
Overview
As of May 2026, Russia is advancing its Arctic LNG export strategy by refining operations and efficiently using specialized vessels and transshipment points, such as the Arc7 shuttle runs for Arctic LNG 2. This progress is possible because earlier sanctions from the Biden administration have faded, and the Trump administration did not target Russian LNG shipping, giving Moscow the freedom to develop its export routes. These efforts highlight Russia’s commitment to building a reliable Arctic LNG pathway, despite the shifting geopolitical landscape and the absence of direct sanctions on its LNG projects or vessels.