China is actively working on creating a 'shadow fleet' for importing Russian liquefied natural gas to bypass US sanctions. Such complex technologies and opaque vessel registration schemes help China expand its capabilities and strengthen cooperation with Russia. Meanwhile, Russia already has its own 'shadow fleet' for transporting LNG, but it faces significant technical challenges and issues in hiding the vessels' whereabouts.
- China is developing a 'shadow fleet' for importing Russian gas, bypassing sanctions.
- Russia also has its own 'shadow fleet' for transporting LNG, but faces technical challenges.
By the end of 2021, China may have a full-fledged 'shadow fleet' to diversify gas supplies and increase independence from existing suppliers.