China-made modules revive Arctic LNG 2 construction

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Construction work on Arctic LNG 2, Russia's flagship liquefied natural gas project, is expected to restart after two heavy-load vessels delivered Chinese-made modules to the LNG Construction Centre in Belokamenka on the Kola Peninsula.

The carriers completed a journey of nearly three months from Lusi Port in eastern China. After passing the North Cape in the Barents Sea on 16 July, the vessels anchored near the Rybachii Peninsula before entering Kola Bay two days later. During the voyage, both ships listed Kirkenes, Norway, as their destination, although their cargo was bound for the sanctioned construction facility in Belokamenka.

One of the vessels, Bright Ocean (IMO 9830769), is itself subject to sanctions. Previously known as Hunter Star, the carrier transported similar cargo to Belokamenka twice in 2024, including one voyage through the Northern Sea Route despite not being designed for ice navigation.

Third production platform back on track

The newly delivered modules will be used to build the third gravity-based production structure for Arctic LNG 2.

The first two structures were completed in 2023 and 2024 before being towed from Belokamenka to the Gulf of Ob, where they now operate at Utrenneye on the Gydan Peninsula, the project's production and logistics hub.

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Construction of the third unit was originally scheduled for completion in 2025, but international sanctions forced work to stop. By autumn 2024, operations at the Belokamenka yard had largely ceased as contractors and subcontractors withdrew from the site.

With the arrival of the new modules, activity has resumed at the facility, paving the way for construction to restart. Once completed, Arctic LNG 2 is designed to produce nearly 20 million tonnes of LNG annually.

Sanctions remain despite rising exports

Arctic LNG 2 was sanctioned by the UK in 2022 and by the US in 2023, with related companies, vessels and infrastructure also added to sanctions lists.

Among the sanctioned assets are the floating storage unit Saam FSU (IMO 9915090) in Ura Bay, along with the LNG carriers Christophe de Margerie (IMO 9737187) and Aleksey Kosygin (IMO 9904546), which transport LNG between Utrenneye and Ura Bay.

Despite these restrictions, Novatek has continued to expand exports. The company shipped its first Arctic LNG 2 cargo from Gydan to China in August 2025.

According to Novatek, exports from Arctic LNG 2 to Chinese buyers reached 1.2 million tonnes in 2025. During the first half of 2026, shipments increased to 1.6 million tonnes, underscoring China's growing role as a destination for the project's LNG.

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