LSEG's and Kpler’s ship tracking data revealed that a third tanker, from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 facility, which is subject to Western sanctions, discharged and left a terminal in China Wednesday.

The U.S. sanctioned LNG tanker Zarya has unloaded over 160,000 cubic meters (cubic feet) of LNG from the sanctioned Russian Project Arctic LNG 2 at Beihai LNG Terminal, Guangxi in southern China.

According to LSEG, China has received so far three LNG cargoes from Arctic LNG 2 totaling more than 386,000 cu m of LNG.

In a few more days, two Arctic LNG 2 cargoes will arrive in Beihai on the 174,000-cbm Buran as well as the 174,000-cbm Iris. According to data intelligence company ICIS, the Buran has an estimated arrival date on September 13.

Arctic LNG 2, a project that was to be one of Russia's biggest LNG plants, with a final output of 19,8 million metric tonnes per year, was included as part of Western sanctions due to Moscow's conflict in Ukraine. The project has struggled to sell LNG despite starting production and loading shipments in August 2024.

When asked on Wednesday how the U.S. will react to Chinese purchases sanctioned Russian gas cargoes, U.S. Energy Sec. Chris Wright responded that President Donald Trump has stated his priority to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict without greater disruptions. (Reporting and editing by Lewis Jackson in Beijing, Sam Li in Washington)

(source: Reuters)