Russia-Linked LNG Carriers Head North After Reflagging, Signalling Arctic Fleet Expansion

Four recently reflagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers linked to new Turkish-controlled entities are heading north in the Atlantic, in what analysts say could mark a new push in Russia’s effort to expand its constrained export fleet.

Vessel tracking data shows Kosmos and Merkuriy steaming north off the coast of Portugal, while Luch and Orion are following currently off West Africa. In recent days Luch started signaling Murmansk as the intended destination.

The four vessels – formerly part of Oman’s Asyad Shipping fleet – were sold en bloc earlier this year for roughly $110 million, according to company disclosures and shipbroking