PIONEER

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Sanctioned tanker passed Suez Canal

The 'Pioneer' sanctioned by the USA, over its links to Russia-sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG), has passed through the Suez Canal with an LNG cargo. The source of the destination were not immediately clear. The tanker is registered to Zara Shipholding Co, which has offices in Dubai and India's Mumbai. The USA have imposed sanctions on two companies and two vessels, including the 'Pioneer', which are linked to Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project, in one of Washington's latest move to penalise Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The 'Pioneer' was involved in a ship-to-ship transfer of gas from Arctic LNG 2 on Aug. 25. The manually listed destination for the 'Pioneer' has recently showed “Not Support Israel".. It hasn’t discharged elsewhere and is now closer to potential buyers in Asia.

Sanctioned shadow tanker started crossing the Suez Canal

The 'Pioneer', which was recently sanctioned by the US over the Ukraine war, is crossing the Suez Canal for the first time and likely on its way to Asia, Kjell Eikland, director of the Oslo-based intelligence and consulting firm Eikland Energ, said on Sep 25. The loaded vessel started crossing the canal on the morning, likely heading towards Asia across Yemeni waters, in what would also be a first for a full cargo since the Houthi group starting disrupting traffic.Crossing the canal would indicate that either a buyer had been found in Asia or that it was moving closer to the region to facilitate closing of a deal. There was no indication it has been sold, and probably won’t be until it reaches some destination. # The vessel is one of nine ships sanctioned by the US that is believed to be part of the so-called Russian dark fleet, at the also sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 facility. As such, the 'Pioneer' is carrying the first cargo loaded early in August from the plant’s first production unit, or train, with a 6.6m tonnes per year (9bcm/year) capacity. The ship was unlikely to deliver to terminals in Egypt and Jordan due to the US sanctions. It was still three days away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the tip of the Red Sea near Yemen, where Houthi rebels have been attacking ships. The 'Pioneer' was involved in a “fake” ship-to-ship transfer in the Mediterranean with another sanctioned vessel, but had yet to unload its cargo, according to its reported draft data. It was insured by a New Zeland company. Russia may have to shut down its Arctic LNG 2 plant soon if sanctions continue to impede it from selling cargoes.

Russia’s LNG shadow fleet grinds to halt following suspension of flag

A week after the Republic of Palau temporarily suspended the flag of three LNG carriers, Russia’s shadow fleet has ground to a halt, for now. Palau’s International Ship Registry pulled the registration of the 'Pioneer', 'Asya Energy', and 'Everest Energy' pending an investigation into their practice of deactivating or spoofing AIS signals while sailing to the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project. All shadow fleet vessels have remained idle in Russian or international waters for much of the past week. The 'Pioneer' had loaded cargo in the Russian Arctic on Aug 3 with potential losses approaching 7.5% of cargo a month later. The vessel transferred its cargo during a ship-to-ship to the 'New Energy' north of the Suez Canal. Both vessels have remained idle off the coast of Port Said since the STS. Following its flag being suspended, the 'Asya Energy' turned around in Norwegian waters and sailed for Kola Bay near Murmansk where she has remained since Au 27. Its Moss-type storage system limits losses to 0.15% a day, but they may still be approaching 3-4% more than three weeks after calling at Arctic LNG 2. The 'Everest Energy' headed for the thus far unused world’s largest floating storage barge 'Saam FSU' in the Ura Guba Bay. Transferring its cargo to the modern storage unit could help reduce boil-off rates. The 'North Sky' began offloading its cargo at the Yangkou LNG terminal over the weekend. The vessel loaded cargo from thus-far unsanctioned 'Yamal LNG' nearly four weeks ago but had remained idle off the coast of Yangkou, China for several days. The 'North Sky', together with three other newbuilds from the same order, the 'North Mountain', 'North Air' and 'North Way', was included in sanctions announced last week. While the vessels have not carried product from sanctioned Arctic LNG 2, they were originally intended for use with the project. Potential buyers receiving cargo from the 'North Sky' will likely face the risk of secondary sanctions.