Merkuriy Russian‑Flagged LNG Tanker Loads Sanctioned Cargo

Russian‑flagged LNG tanker Merkuriy docked at the blacklisted Saam storage unit near Murmansk to load LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.
The vessel transferred to Celtic Maritime & Trading SA and is one of four former Omani tankers now under Russian flags.
The move expands Russia’s shadow fleet, aiming to bypass sanctions and supply LNG as the Strait of Hormuz closure tightens gas markets.
Three similar‑profile tankers are en route to or have arrived in the Arctic, indicating rapid growth of an opaque secondary LNG market.