Russia Is Assembling an LNG Shadow Fleet Ahead of January 2027 EU Sanctions in International Shipping News 17/06/2026 At a Glance The UK has sanctioned 27 tankers in its latest sanctions package, including four LNG carriers that Russia quietly purchased in the first quarter of 2026, becoming the first jurisdiction to designate these vessels. The ORION (IMO 9294264), KOSMOS (IMO 9300817), MERKURIY (IMO 9326689), and LUCH (IMO 9317315) were acquired from a Middle East shipowner in Q1 2026 and deployed to Russian LNG trades, all aged 19 years or older. Windward has identified six elderly LNG carriers sold and deployed to Russian LNG trades over the past five months, joining seven additional LNG carriers purchased between February 2024 and May 2025 by anonymous entities. Combined with ten newbuilds delivered to state-controlled Russian shipowners, Russia’s LNG shadow fleet now totals an estimated 23 vessels, assembled ahead of tougher EU sanctions on the LNG sector that take effect January 1, 2027. The UK package also targets a Russian state-linked network covertly procuring Western technology for military use and third-country suppliers helping Russia move money illegally, bringing the total number of Russia-trading ships sanctioned by the UK to more than 600. The Sanctions Package Unpacked The UK government on June 16 announced its latest sanctions package targeting what it described as the “shady networks” supplying Russia’s war effort. The package designates 27 tankers, a Russian state-linked technology procurement network, and third-country suppliers facilitating illegal money movement on Russia’s behalf. With this round, the total number of Russia-trading ships sanctioned by the UK exceeds 600. The locations of the 27 sanctioned vessels, June 16, 2026. Source: Windward Maritime AI™ Platform. Three things are worth pulling out from the package. First, of the 27 sanctioned tankers, 23 are crude and product tankers already sanctioned by the EU. The UK designation bri