The UK has updated its external sanctions list to include multiple oil and gas transport ships as well as several Russian domestic companies under control. This sanction targets the Russian liquefied natural gas shipping and transportation chain, restricting the physical presence of related vessels and also having a practical impact on the logistics layout of the Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas project.

The current round of sanctions issued by the UK involves a total of 19 objects, covering 6 ships, 12 legal entities, and 1 natural person. Novatek's Northern Engineering Company, registered in March 2026, is among them. The company specializes in the construction of ships and offshore floating facilities and is deeply involved in the Murmansk energy project. The LNG carrier Arctic Express has been sanctioned for transporting gas from the Novatek Arctic LNG 2 project since June. Another 5 crude oil tankers have been included in the list for transporting Russian oil and gas.

The EU plans to ban the import of Russian liquefied natural gas through long-term contracts from 2027, and Russian exports will further shift towards the Asian market. Novatek still needs to supplement dozens of liquefied gas transport ships to ensure the logistics of the project. Combined with multiple rounds of EU sanctions regulations and the UK's continued increase in ship sanctions, Russia's liquefied natural gas shipping operations and ship construction are facing more constraints.Editor/Min Jing