Russia builds shadow LNG tanker fleet to bypass looming 2027 EU import ban

Russia is expanding its fleet of LNG carriers to circumvent a full EU ban on its cargoes set for 2027. At least eight second-hand tankers have been acquired in the last six months, growing the so-called shadow fleet to 25 vessels. This strategy, which includes newly built domestic tankers and mirrors tactics used to evade oil sanctions, aims to ensure Moscow can continue shipping gas to global markets after its access to Europe is cut off.