Shadow Fleet's Return: Russia's Gas Carrier Journeys Amid Sanctions

A second gas carrier has departed from Russia's sanctioned Portovaya LNG plant on the Baltic Sea, signaling the country's persistent attempts to circumvent international restrictions. The vessel, Valera, previously known as Velikiy Novgorod, departed from the Gulf of Finland and is expected to reach an unspecified location by January 15, based on ship-tracking data.

This departure marks the second tanker leaving the facility within three months. Earlier, the tanker Perle, formerly named Pskov, left Portovaya in mid-July and recently navigated the Strait of Malacca. Its cargo was discharged at an undisclosed site, showcasing Russia's defiance of U.S. sanctions.

Portovaya launched operations in September 2022, with exports initially directed to Turkey and Greece. The market has since expanded to China, Spain, and Italy, despite a suspension induced by sanctions in February. Meanwhile, the shadow fleet, employing tactics like AIS spoofing, enables Russia to sustain its energy exports under these constraints.