Russia grows LNG carrier fleet to 19 vessels by August 2026

Russia increased its registered LNG carrier fleet to 19 vessels by August 2026, according to industry presentations cited by Vedomosti. This represents a 1.9-fold increase compared to August 2025. At the start of 2025, the Russian register contained only one gas carrier, the Portovyy. The expansion of the fleet resulted in a significant rise in total tonnage and cargo capacity. Between January 2025 and August 2026, the combined deadweight of vessels under the Russian flag grew from 80,000 tons to 1.56 million tons, while total cargo capacity increased from 138,000 to 2.9 million cubic meters. Fleet Expansion Mechanisms The registry grew through two primary channels: the re-registration of foreign-built vessels into the Russian registry and the start of serial deliveries of gas carriers from the Zvezda shipbuilding complex. This build-up supports the redirection of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports toward Asian markets and the establishment of independent delivery routes to mitigate sanction risks.