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Pioneer

Maritime detention · Person of interest · Sanctioned entity
TypeVessel[sources]
NameARCTIC PIONEER · LNG PIONEER · PIONEER · Pioneer · SPUTNIK ENERGY · 2 more...[sources]
CountryRussia[sources]
Build Date · [sources]
Call SignN/A · T8A4750 · UATD6[sources]
Deadweight Tonnage77712[sources]
DescriptionThe vessel was involved in the transportation of fossil fuels from the Arctic LNG-2 facility in circumvention of sanctions, using a scheme of false AIS signalling in violation of international maritime law to conceal the vessel's true location. In early August 2024, satellite imagery revealed that the vessel was located at the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project, with its AIS signal still north of Norway. The vessel was escorted by an icebreaker as it headed towards the Gulf of Ob and the gas project. On or about 06 August 2024, the vessel returned to its doctored position to integrate its transponder signal. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of the sanctioned Novatek (TIN 6316031581) for natural gas extraction and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on seven LNG tankers of the shadow russian tanker fleet, as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the Arctic LNG-2 and other future energy projects. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.[sources]
FlagBahamas · Palau · Russia · Sint Maarten[sources]
Gross Registered Tonnage93786[sources]
IMO NumberIMO9256602[sources]
MMSI273272340[sources]
Past FlagsBahamas · Palau · Singapore[sources]
Previous nameLNG Pioneer · Pioneer · Pioneer Spirit · Sputnik Energy[sources]
Type22 · Gas carrier · LNG Carrier · LNG Tanker[sources]
Source linkeur-lex.europa.eu · eur-lex.europa.eu · sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov[sources]
Last changeLast processedFirst seen

Descriptions

Are operated in such a way as to contribute or support actions or policies for the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in Russia, including energy infrastructure.

— Swiss SECO Sanctions/Embargoes,

Shipping sanctions: a specified ship is prohibited from being provided with access to or having its master or pilot cause it to enter a port in the UK, may have its registration on the UK Ship Register terminated, and a master or pilot of a specified ship may be given a port barring direction, a detention direction, and a port entry direction or a movement direction.

— UK FCDO Sanctions List,

Relationships

Data sources

Swiss SECO Sanctions/Embargoes7,774

Switzerland manages a sanctions lists with a high degree of detail on the individuals that are subject to it's embargoes

Switzerland · SECO

Ukraine War and Sanctions5,382

Sponsors and accomplices of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine · GUR

US Trade Consolidated Screening List (CSL)23,257

The Consolidated Screening List (CSL) is a list of parties for which the United States Government maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items.

United States · ITA

EU Council Official Journal Sanctioned Entities2,796

Supplemental list of people, companies, and organizations sanctioned for involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

European Union · Council

US OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List35,178

The primary United States' sanctions list, specially designated nationals (SDN) part.

United States · OFAC

Tokyo MoU Detention List8,105

Ships detained by Port State Control (PSC) authorities within the Tokyo MoU region.

Global · Tokyo MoU

UK FCDO Sanctions List5,976

Official register of individuals, entities, and vessel subject to UK sanctions under regulations made pursuant to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.

United Kingdom · FCDO

EU Sanctions Map1,327

The EU Sanctions Map is a visualisation of EU sanctions policy. It includes a broader set of policies and entities than the EU consolidated sanctions list.

European Union · Council

Canadian Consolidated Autonomous Sanctions List5,042

Sanctions imposed by Canada on specific countries, organizations, or individuals under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and JVCFOA

Canada · Global Affairs Canada

External databases

The record has been enriched with data from the following external databases:

Tokyo MoU Port State Control Inspections612

Vessels inspected by member authorities under the Tokyo MoU.

External dataset · Global · Tokyo MoU

Source data IDs: tok-mou-det-066399d4d03828e5ddc361aefb7a8531baf114a9 · eu-sancmap-b3f13adb9b4e9eedc4bf7abc9d1c0d083192111c · ca-sema-d3e428cf77a85166f8ddbe9f263a03822c42f56c · ofac-50525 · ch-seco-86246 · tokyo-mou-psc-f3cbcc5f04896e191ca38d3b7edacb68c51fb0bc · ua-ws-vessel-292 · eu-sancmap-d4977f5d7cd92072703c22277b0aab12ae731690 · gb-fcdo-rus2217 · ua-ws-5223d2938e7bc8b34bb902640a1904ec7428d3ec · eu-oj-24e09757b6096f98c01a279d1b82e60250222209 · ua-ws-cbaf3b68368f0cfa822ed2b8311fd8ebacaa2c44 · eu-oj-a338c0d1602bf2c34dd24e585fe7a2ea76773a85

For experts: raw data explorer

FactsheetDescriptionsData sources
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