China is developing its own “shadow fleet” to bypass sanctions on the import of Russian gas
China has begun creating its own “shadow fleet” of vessels for importing Russian gas, which is under US sanctions. Such actions may impact global energy security.
According to Bloomberg, China’s plans are still in the early stages, but the movement of tankers and ownership structure indicate the formation of schemes similar to those previously used by Russia. Experts say China is laying the groundwork for such a fleet that will help import gas while bypassing restrictions.
Specifically, the LNG tanker CCH Gas, which has already been sanctioned, is hiding its location as it approaches a Chinese port. The registered owner of the vessel, CCH-1 Shipping Co., has an address in Hong Kong, matching the company Samxin Secretarial Services, which is typical for companies aiming to conceal the real owner when trading fuel with sanctioned countries. Another vessel, recently renamed Kunpeng, appeared near Singapore with a similar ownership scheme.
These actions are taking place amid the tightening of international sanctions against Russia, including steps by Ukraine’s partner countries, which have already imposed sanctions on about 610 Russian tankers. However, at least 340 ships still require sanction control. Such activity in China may redistribute economic relations in the Asia-Pacific region and affect global energy markets.
| Country | Number of vessels under sanctions | Number of vessels potentially under sanctions |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 610 | 340 |
| China | Initial stage of formation | Not determined |
