Panama is no longer a refuge: where Putin's Arctic fleet is heading.

Four Russian gas carriers have changed flags and names

Four ice-class gas carriers have been re-registered in the Russian fleet and stripped of the Panamanian flags. The vessels were intended for transporting liquefied natural gas from the 'Arctic LNG 2' project, which has been sanctioned by the US. The carriers, previously named North Sky, North Air, North Mountain, and North Way, have received new names - 'Iris', 'Buran', 'Voskod', and 'Zarya'.

The ships, built for the Japanese operator NYK by Samsung Heavy Industries, were subjected to US sanctions in August 2024. Now the tankers may employ shadow fleet tactics, executing complex maneuvers to evade sanctions. Eikland Energ's director Kjell Eikland believes that the vessels are preparing to return to the 'Arctic LNG 2' project, which was suspended in 2024.

Recently, 'Novatek' attempted to sell a million tons of LNG but faced difficulties due to sanctions. However, buyer interest in such conditions may rise due to easing in secondary sanctions insurance.