‘Dark Fleet’ LNG Carrier Forced to Turn Back as Early Winter Ice Blocks Access to Arctic LNG 2

In recent days Russia’s medium ice-class LNG carrier Buran has failed repeatedly to reach the Arctic LNG 2 terminal in Ob Bay as thick, early-season ice has shut down regular navigation.

Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.

LNG carrier Buran (formerly North Air) at Zeebrugge on May 31, 2024.

(Source: Courtesy of Wim Lannoo) In recent days Russia’s medium ice-class LNG carrier Buran has failed repeatedly to reach the Arctic LNG 2 terminal in Ob Bay as thick, early-season ice has shut down regular navigation.

The events underscore mounting winter constraints on the Northern Sea Route and the project’s acute shortage of powerful Arc7 carriers.

The Arc4-class Buran attempted four times since December 2 to push south into Ob Bay, alternately following closely behind two nuclear icebreakers, 50 Let Pobedy and Arktika , working to open a path through the ice.

Two nearby Arc7 LNG carriers in service of neighboring Yamal LNG project were also part of the convoy.

Despite the support Buran never made it far enough south to reach the Arctic LNG 2 site.

Sea ice in Ob Bay has reached 50 cm or more in thickness amid temperatures plunging below –20°C, shutting down approaches earlier and more forcefully than in recent years.

The difficulty is particularly consequential for Arctic LNG 2, which sits further south in Ob Bay than its sister project Yamal LNG – making its access corridor more vulnerable to fast, early ice formation.

The Buran is one of four Arc4-class LNG carriers available to Novatek.

Although the company may have hoped these vessels could continue sailing into December, their medium ice-class is proving insufficient for the heavy first-year ice now building in the region.

Last month Buran also struggled to pass through the East Siberian Sea , taking a week to find a path through the ice.

After nearly a week of back-and-forth maneuvering at the mouth of Ob Bay, the Buran has seemingly abandoned its efforts and retreated back into the Kara Sea.

Its withdrawal sharply illustrates the limitations of both Russia’s icebreaker support and the vessel lineup allocated to the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project.

Novatek has only one Arc7-class LNG carrier, Christophe de Margerie , available for Arctic LNG 2 this season.