Russia Expands Dark Fleet as Arctic LNG 2 Output Climbs

Formerly known as the Queen Cassiopeia and under Greek management, the vessel shifted to the St. Petersburg-based SMP Techmanagement LLC in mid-May. It now joins a growing cadre of at least 21 ships tasked with moving Russian gas to international markets. This expansion coincides with a surge in productivity at the Arctic LNG 2 site, which hit a record 400,000 metric tons in May 2026, with China emerging as the primary destination for these shipments.

While Moscow finds success in securing Asian buyers, the strategy faces geographic and political friction elsewhere. India, a major consumer of Russian crude, has balked at accepting sanctioned LNG. Officials in New Delhi cited the technical impossibility of masking LNG shipments compared to the relative ease of concealing seaborne oil. This stance recently left the tanker Kunpeng, carrying 138,200 cubic meters of gas, stranded near Singapore after an Indian rejection. Despite these hurdles, Russia remains committed to diversifying its customer base before the EU’s comprehensive ban on long-term LNG contracts takes effect on January 1, 2027.