Russian Arctic Mulan Delivers LNG to China After Sanctions Lift
The Arctic Mulan, a Russian tanker with a 79,800 cubic meter capacity, has docked at the LNG Terminal Beihai in China. On board was LNG from the Arctic LNG 2 project, marking a significant development after over a year of uncertainty due to sanctions.
The arrival of the Arctic Mulan comes after a nearly 19 percent reduction in Russia news LNG imports to China from January to July 2025. Despite this, Russia has continued to produce and load cargo, with 13 shipments since August 2024, none of which were discharged overseas due to Western restrictions. This first delivery to China could signal a shift in the global energy landscape.
The Arctic Mulan's journey was part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' strategy, using Russian-flagged vessels to circumvent sanctions. Novatek, the project operator, confirmed the arrival. While LNG traders remain cautious, with some advising against docking at the Beihai terminal, Russia's move may be a calculated power display ahead of talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
The Arctic Mulan's arrival in China ends a year of uncertainty for the Arctic LNG 2 project and could potentially soften Washington's stance towards Russia news energy projects. With 13 available tankers from the shadow fleet, Russia's LNG exports may see a resurgence, although traders remain wary. The implications of this development on the global LNG market and geopolitical relations are yet to be fully understood.
