Data shows that Russia will ship its first cargo of Arctic LNG 2 this year to China.

LSEG data revealed that the first liquefied 'natural gas' cargo of this year from Russia's sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 facility was discharged to China's Beihai LNG Terminal.

According to data, the Buran gas carrier loaded LNG at a Saam floating?unit near Murmansk, a Russian port that is used for the?project.

The ship delivered cargo to China's southwest Guangxi area?via the Suez Canal. Arctic LNG 2 ships started using this route after winter restrictions?limited access along the Northern Sea Route on Russia's Arctic coast.

Arctic LNG 2, owned by Novatek and 60% of its shares, was to be one of Russia's biggest LNG plants with a production target of 19,8 million metric tonnes per year. However, the U.S. sanctions over Ukraine have hampered the project's prospects.

Novatek started production at Arctic LNG in December 20, but began delivering the cargoes only in August of last year, to all end users in China.

According to LSEG Arctic LNG 2 has delivered 23 'cargoes' or 1.3 million metric tonnes of LNG last year, including from their storage facilities near Murmansk, and the eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, to Beihai -LNG. This is the only importer for the cargoes.

Separately LSEG data revealed on?Monday the first Russian-made Arc 7 Gas carrier, Alexey Kosygin has arrived at Arctic LNG 2.

Ice-class tanks usually have reinforced propellers and double hulls, which are strengthened to withstand ice pressure. (Reporting and Editing by Louise Heavens).

(source: Reuters)