Sanctioned Russian Icebreakers Assisted Glasgow Firm in Gas Exports to Europe
An investigation by Unearthed reveals that Seapeak, a Glasgow-based shipping company, relied on sanctioned Russian icebreakers to transport over 700,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Arctic to Europe in January 2026. All ten shipments operated by Seapeak during this period were escorted by icebreakers from Atomflot, a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear agency currently under EU and UK sanctions. While Seapeak denies direct contractual relationships with sanctioned entities, evidence suggests Atomflot’s services are contracted by Novatek, the operator of the Yamal LNG plant. The icebreaking assistance is crucial for navigating frozen Siberian waters, generating significant revenue for the sanctioned Russian firm. Critics, including Ukrainian advocates and Scottish politicians, argue that Seapeak’s operations indirectly finance Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The cargoes were delivered to various European nations, including France, Spain, and Norway, highlighting ongoing complexities in enforcing energy sanctions against Russia despite international efforts to isolate its fossil fuel industry.
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Sanctioned Russian Icebreakers Assisted Glasgow Firm in Gas Exports to Europe
An investigation by Unearthed reveals that Seapeak, a Glasgow-based shipping company, relied on sanctioned Russian icebreakers to transport over 700,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Arctic to Europe in January 2026. All ten shipments operated by Seapeak during this period were escorted by icebreakers from Atomflot, a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear agency currently under EU and UK sanctions. While Seapeak denies direct contractual relationships with sanctioned entities, evidence suggests Atomflot’s services are contracted by Novatek, the operator of the Yamal LNG plant. The icebreaking assistance is crucial for navigating frozen Siberian waters, generating significant revenue for the sanctioned Russian firm. Critics, including Ukrainian advocates and Scottish politicians, argue that Seapeak’s operations indirectly finance Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The cargoes were delivered to various European nations, including France, Spain, and Norway, highlighting ongoing complexities in enforcing energy sanctions against Russia despite international efforts to isolate its fossil fuel industry.
Unearthed