US Sanctions Send Key Modules Destined for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 Back to China After 10-Month Odyssey

The U.S. chalks up a critical win in its efforts to halt the expansion of Russia’s LNG sector. Ten months after departing from a Chinese yard, heavy lift vessel Wei Xiao Tian Shi has returned to port with its original cargo still on board. The ship’s return to China is the conclusion to an unsuccessful attempt to deliver critically-needed equipment to Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 plant. 

The heavy lift vessel was carrying two modules manufactured by Chinese company Wison New Energies for Novatek’s flagship LNG project.

AIS data and satellite images reveal Wei Xiao Tian Shi calling at Dongzao Gang port, east of Nantong, on January 19 and the vessel’s subsequent unloading. The two massive modules, each weighing in excess of 12,000 tons were designated for the third train of the Arctic LNG 2 project.

Sources tell gCaptain the equipment will be temporarily stored at Jiangsu H…