Russian LNG Carrier Arctic Mulan Makes Historic Journey to China
After over a year of uncertainty, the Arctic LNG 2 project has found a buyer. The Arctic Mulan, a Russian LNG carrier, docked in China on August 28, marking the first time a sanctioned Russian LNG tanker has entered Chinese waters.
The Arctic Mulan, sailing under the Russian flag, carried its first cargo from the Arctic LNG 2 plant to the Chinese port of Beihai. With a capacity of 79,800 cubic meters, it's one of the largest LNG ships to make this journey. This arrival comes as China has reduced its Russia LNG imports by nearly 19 percent from January to July 2025, compared to the same period last year.
The LNG was transported from a storage facility near Kamchatka, using a ship from Russia's shadow fleet. The move signals a potential shift in Beijing's stance on accepting Russian gas under sanctions. However, some LNG traders are cautious, with at least three non-Chinese companies advising their trading departments not to dock ships at the Beihai import terminal.
The arrival of the Arctic Mulan in China could indicate a change in Beijing's willingness to accept Russian LNG under sanctions. It's also seen as a calculated move by Russia to assert power ahead of talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
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