Panama cancels registration of four tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet

Panama's Maritime Authority commenced flag cancellation procedures after US sanctions targeted the LNG carriers' Singapore-based operators over connections to Russian gas producer Novatek and sanctions evasion.

Nov 8, 2024 - 19:00

Panama cancels registration of four tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet

Panama has initiated procedures to cancel the registration of four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers linked to Russian gas producer Novatek following US sanctions, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) reports. The cancellation process began on 4 October, ahead of Executive Decree No. 512 issued on 18 October, which authorizes expedited procedures for such cases, according to the AMP.

The vessels in question – North Air, North Mountain, North Way, and North Sky – were previously identified as part of Russia’s “dark fleet,” the authority notes. The ships are owned by Singapore-based companies LNG Alpha Shipping, LNG Beta Shipping, LNG Delta Shipping, and LNG Gamma Shipping.

Earlier, on 30 October, the US sanctioned “third-country enablers supporting Russia’s military-industrial base.”

According to the US Department of State, these companies are majority-owned by New Transhipment FZE, a UAE-based Novatek subsidiary. The “owners allegedly attempted to circumvent sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project” through shell companies in third-country jurisdictions, Panama’s maritime authority says.

According to the War Sanctions website by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, the vessels are managed by UAE-based White Fox Ship Management FZCO and are involved in transporting LNG from Russia’s Yamal LNG project, despite being originally intended for the Arctic LNG 2 project.

The intelligence agency notes that these ice-class tankers received permission from Russian authorities to operate in the Northern Sea Route waters in summer 2024. The vessels were reportedly originally ordered by Japanese shipping company NYK Lines in cooperation with Russian state-owned Sovcomflot before being transferred to Dubai-based White Fox Ship Management.

The AMP says it continues to monitor its merchant fleet and promises to take decisive action against any vessels misusing the Panamanian flag.

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