August M
A Russian liquefied natural gas shipment has been left without a destination near Singapore after India reportedly refused to accept cargo linked to a sanctioned Russian energy project.
United24Media, citing Reuters, reported that the LNG tanker Kunpeng was carrying gas from Russia’s Portovaya LNG plant before Indian authorities declined the delivery.
Cargo rejected
According to Reuters, the 138,200-cubic-meter tanker had originally been scheduled to unload at India’s Dahej LNG terminal.
The destination was later removed, leaving the vessel stranded near Singaporean waters without a confirmed buyer.
Sources cited by Reuters said India communicated its decision during a visit by Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin to New Delhi on April 30.
Sanctions pressure grows
The report stated that Indian officials rejected the cargo because the Portovaya LNG plant is under US sanctions.
One source claimed the shipment had still been identified as Russian despite paperwork suggesting otherwise.
United24Media noted that LNG cargoes are significantly harder to conceal than crude oil shipments because they require specialised tankers and fixed receiving terminals.
Russia seeks new buyers
The United States imposed sanctions on Portovaya LNG and Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project earlier this year as part of broader efforts to limit Moscow’s energy revenues.
India has continued purchasing large volumes of Russian crude oil, but gas imports appear more sensitive to sanctions enforcement.
According to Reuters, most unsanctioned Russian LNG exports are already tied to long-term contracts, limiting alternative delivery options for spot cargoes.
Energy talks disrupted
The stranded shipment comes only weeks after Russia and India reportedly discussed restarting direct LNG deliveries.
United24Media said officials from both countries held talks in March regarding future supplies from the Arctic LNG 2 project and broader energy cooperation.
The latest rejection now raises new uncertainty over Russia’s ability to expand LNG exports while Western sanctions remain in place.
Global market concerns
The report also linked the situation to wider instability in global gas markets following shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
With LNG supplies tightening internationally, the failure to complete the delivery marks a setback for Moscow’s efforts to secure reliable buyers outside Europe.
Sources: United24Media, Reuters.
