PRESS RELEASE : UK constrains Russia’s future Liquified Natural Gas plans [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2024.

• the UK has sanctioned 5 ships and 2 entities involved in the Russian Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector
• this is the first time the UK is using its new ship specification power to target LNG vessels directly
• today’s action builds on efforts alongside allies to bear down on Russia’s attempts to bolster its future energy revenues – the most critical source of funding for Putin’s war in Ukraine

The UK has today, 26 September, taken decisive action to sanction 5 vessels and 2 associated entities involved in the shipping of Russian LNG, including from Russia’s flagship Arctic LNG 2 project.

LNG is an important source of funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. Russia has plans to expand its LNG revenues, aiming to grow their global LNG market share from 8% to 20%.

Earlier this year, the UK sanctioned Arctic LNG 2, alongside our allies in the US and EU. Since then, the project has been forced to slash production. Today’s action builds on this by targeting ships and entities involved in the Russian LNG sector, which engage with projects important to Russia’s future energy production.

The UK has now sanctioned 15 vessels and entities involved in the Russian LNG sector and we will continue to bear down on this important source of funding for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

The vessels sanctioned today are:

• PIONEER (IMO 9256602)
• ASYA ENERGY (IMO 9216298)
• NOVA ENERGY (IMO 9324277)
• NORTH SKY (IMO 9953523)
• SCF LA PEROUSE (IMO 9849887)

We are also sanctioning the following entities associated with the vessels:

• OCEAN SPEEDSTAR SOLUTIONS OPC – The operator and manager of PIONEER and ASYA ENERGY.
• WHITE FOX SHIP MANAGEMENT – The operator and manager of NORTH SKY