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Japan's MOL may be not able to provide ice-breakers for Russia's Arctic LNG 2

Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ( MOL) might be unable to provide tankers for Russia's. sanctionshit Arctic LNG 2 task, it said on Thursday, in a. blow to the plant that just began producing late in 2015 and. stopped operations this month.

Tougher Western sanctions on Russia mean MOL needs to modify. the charter contracts, it said on Thursday, and has currently. began the related talks.

Between 2020 and early 2022, MOL signed charter deals for. three ice-breaking melted natural gas (LNG) vessels and a. condensate ice-breaker for the Arctic LNG 2 project. The U.S. placed the plant under sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in. February 2022, part of wider steps on Moscow.

Need to the settlement encounter troubles, we may be. unable to perform these charter contracts. On the occasion that. the charter arrangements are stopped, we will seek to sell. the vessels to third parties, MOL's statement said.

In all, it said it had actually invested 105 billion yen ($ 689. million) in the vessels and, given the trouble spots in. utilizing the ice-breakers for other organizations, it might face losses. if it can not offer them at a high sufficient price.

The 3 ice-breaking LNG carriers for the Arctic LNG 2. project were set for operation in 2015 and the condensate. provider was to be delivered in 2024 to ship LNG and condensate. through the northern route in the Arctic to Europe and Asia.

Independently, Russian everyday Kommersant reported this week that. Russia's Zvezda shipyard has once again delayed delivery of two. ice-class Arc7 gas carriers for the Arctic LNG 2 job to 2025. from preliminary 2023.

An individual knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters this month. that Arctic LNG 2 has shut down industrial operations at its. first and only operational train without any plans to restart it. throughout winter season.

Russia's Novatek is leading the job with a 60%. stake. Other investors are France's TotalEnergies,. China's CNPC and CNOOC, along with Japan's Mitsui and. the state company JOGMEC.

(source: Reuters)