What's happened
Satellite images and ship-tracking data reveal sanctioned Russian LNG vessels, including the Perle and Iris, engaging in ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia. These operations involve vessels linked to US sanctions, highlighting ongoing efforts by Russia to export LNG despite Western restrictions. The Perle's journey from Baltic Russia to Asia underscores the complexity of sanctions evasion.
What's behind the headline?
The recent tracking of Russian LNG vessels highlights a sophisticated effort to circumvent sanctions. Satellite images show vessels like the Perle and Iris engaging in cargo transfers in waters off Malaysia, a region known for covert operations. These ships are linked to companies operating out of Dubai, a hub for shadow-fleet activities. The use of ship-to-ship transfers in open water allows Russia to continue exporting sanctioned LNG, undermining Western efforts to restrict Moscow's energy revenues. This pattern suggests Russia's resilience and adaptability in maintaining its LNG exports, which will likely persist despite increased sanctions enforcement. The international community's challenge will be to improve monitoring and enforcement to prevent such evasion tactics.
What the papers say
Bloomberg reports that the vessel Perle, sanctioned earlier this year, was observed engaging in ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia, with satellite images confirming the activity. Bloomberg also notes that the Iris vessel, carrying LNG from the Arctic LNG 2 facility, is en route to China, marking the 11th shipment of restricted Russian LNG since late August. The South China Morning Post details the Perle's long journey from the Baltic coast, its long idling period, and its recent transfer activities, emphasizing Russia's strategic efforts to find buyers for its LNG despite sanctions. These reports collectively illustrate a pattern of sanctioned vessel activity aimed at bypassing restrictions, with vessels managed through shadow companies based in Dubai, complicating enforcement efforts.
How we got here
Since early 2025, Russia has intensified efforts to export LNG despite sanctions imposed by the US and Western nations. Vessels like the Perle and Iris have been tracked engaging in ship-to-ship transfers in international waters, often near Malaysia, suggesting attempts to bypass sanctions. The Perle, managed by a Dubai-based company, loaded LNG from the Baltic Portovaya plant in February and then traveled around Africa to reach Asia, indicating a strategic route to evade restrictions.
Go deeper
- How are these vessels managing to avoid detection?
- What role do shadow companies play in this activity?
- Will this impact global energy prices?
Common question
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How is Russia bypassing US sanctions on gas exports?
Satellite images and ship-tracking data reveal that Russia is using covert methods to bypass US sanctions on its LNG exports. The Russian tanker Perle has been spotted engaging in ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia, suggesting efforts to reroute sanctioned gas to Asian markets. This raises questions about how Russia is managing to evade sanctions and what this means for global energy supplies. Below, we explore the tactics involved and the broader implications for international sanctions enforcement.
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How Are Russia's LNG Ships Bypassing Sanctions in Southeast Asia?
Recent satellite images and ship-tracking data reveal that Russia is finding ways to continue exporting LNG despite Western sanctions. Ships like the Perle and Iris are involved in covert operations, including ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia, raising questions about how sanctions are being bypassed and what this means for global energy markets. Below, we explore the details of these activities and their broader implications.
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More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo's East Malaysia.