An ice-class LNG carrier under construction at Russia’s Zvezda shipyard in the Far East may have begun sea trials this week, a potentially important step in Moscow’s efforts to expand a shortage-stricken fleet needed to ship Arctic gas exports despite Western sanctions.

Arctic Western Moscow Far East Ussuri Bay Bolshoy Kamen Northern Sea Route South Korea Samsung Heavy Industries Alexey Kosygin Pyotr Stolypin Gas Information Agency Russian Maritime Register Pacific Novatek