[Russia Expands LNG Shadow Shipping Fleet, Deploys 19-Year-Old Tanker] According to a report by Jinse Finance on June 29, market sources indicate that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker docked at a U.S.-sanctioned gas storage facility in Russia's Murmansk region. This marks the first time the vessel has loaded blacklisted natural gas, signaling Moscow's latest effort to defy Western sanctions and expand exports. The tanker, 'Arctic Express,' entered service in 2007 and was reflagged under Russian registration in May of this year. It loaded LNG at the SAM floating storage facility, which stores gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project. Both SAM and the Arctic LNG 2 project are subject to U.S. sanctions. This shipment demonstrates that Russia is continuing to expand its fleet to circumvent Western restrictions. Analysis of tracking data reveals that at least 21 vessels, including the 'Arctic Express,' are being used to transport LNG from sanctioned Russian projects. Currently, the biggest obstacle facing Arctic LNG 2 project exports remains a shortage of vessels capable of delivering the gas to potential buyers.