On Aug 1, 2024, a ship belonging to Russia’s suspected dark fleet, the 'Pioneer' appears to be loading at the country’s new production facility Arctic LNG 2, possibly the first export from the plant, which is subject to Western sanctions. The ship was chartered by Russia’s main LNG producer Novatek, with a capacity of 138,000 cubic meters of LNG, or 0.085bcm. The tanker was still there over the weekend. Some flaring, which could be related to the initial steps of loading, was also observed. Novatek, the operator of Arctic LNG 2, started up the first 6.6m tonnes per year unit in Dec 2023, with first exports initially planned for Q1. However, the company has been unable to export as it lacks sufficient ice-breaker class LNG ships of its own, and the facility and new vessel builds have been sanctioned by the US and the EU as part of their curbs on Russia. The ship appeared to have arrived at the Arctic LNG 2 terminal after spoofing. The ship’s AIS data still were showing it circling east of northern Russian archipelago Novaja Semlja. It is believed it will reappear along the Norwegian coast, to seamlessly tie into a return from its current AIS-reported circling pattern. Novatek would likely then report a successful loading of a commissioning cargo. Firms tied to Russia are believed by market observers to have bought older LNG and oil vessels to create dark fleets that evade Western sanctions. The 'Pioneer' was one of three LNG vessels in Russia’s LNG dark fleet, although the total number was uncertain. Considering recent movements by the ''Pioneer', as well as the 'Asya Energy' and 'Everest Energy', t 3.3m tonnes per year of the Arctic LNG 2 were considered to be operational with a sufficient fleet. The first cargo’s destination was unlikely to be the EU. While there was imited market impact from the first cargo, this should change with increased volume from three ships. India was considered to be a potential destination candidate, possibly in a Red Sea transit pact involving Russia, Iran and the Houthis rebels in Yemen.
News
MEIN SCHIFF 2
On Aug 2 the 'Mein Schiff 2', whicj was located 65 nautical miles off Palamós, requested the medical evacuation of sick passenger who was treated by the on-board doctor. The RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Barcelona mobilized the 'Salvamar Lyra' to assist. The patient along with fhis amily and a nurse were transferred aboard and disembarked in L'Estartit, where he was further treated by medical personnel. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1820144579112284181
MAAB AQUA 1
he crew of the 'Maab Aqua 1', among them three Kenyan nationals and five Sri Lankan nationals, accused of illegally fishing in Malagasy waters, have been taken in preventive detention. They appeared before the Nosy Be court prosecutor's office on Aug 3, 2024. The ishermen, who were arrested in early July aboard the 'Maab Aqua' 87 kilometers northwest of Nosy-Be, were being held at the Perfume Island prison awaiting their trial, the date of which has not yet been set. The eight men have been charged with fishing without authorization, failure to hold a fishing log, and failure to possess a tracking beacon. They were also accused of failing to file an entry declaration.
CARAVOS LIBERTY
ADM dock workers have been allowed to strike for the neglected crew of the 'Caravos Liberty', which had arrived in Rotterdam on July 4, 2024, en route from Santana, to unload soybeans at the ADM terminal. The dock workers stopped unloading the bulk carrier out of sympathy for the ship's crew were within their rights. This was decided by the summary proceedings judge in Rotterdam.