A Chinese heavy-lift cargo vessel linked to Russia’s sanctioned Arctic gas industry has been observed lingering near Norway’s northern maritime border, raising questions about its movements and destination.
The vessel, Ya Qing Hai Yang, was reported on 8 October to have spent several days near the Aynov Islands on Russia’s Rybachy Peninsula, less than 30 kilometres from the maritime boundary with Norway.
According to Norwegian newspaper The Barents Observer, the vessel had sailed from Zhuhai in China before arriving in the area.
The 153-metre-long ship, previously known as Ocean 28, has been involved in transporting Chinese industrial equipment to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, which is subject to international sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In October 2024, the vessel delivered large power-generation modules from China to the Russian Arctic port of Utrenny. The equipment was intended for the Arctic LNG 2 development, operated by Russian energy company Novatek.
The vessel itself has subsequently been placed under sanctions by the United States and European Union.
Its movements have previously attracted attention in Norway. In November 2024, the ship reportedly made an unexpected change of course and sailed back and forth near the Norwegian island of Gossa, where the strategically important Nyhamna gas processing plant is located.
The vessel has also undergone several changes of name, flag registration and management. According to The Barents Observer, it currently claims Guatemalan registration, which the newspaper reports is not valid.
Two other Chinese heavy-lift vessels associated with the same Russian energy project have similarly transported industrial equipment along the Northern Sea Route.
The latest observations highlight the continued involvement of Chinese shipping and industrial suppliers in Russia’s Arctic energy development despite Western sanctions.
As of the 8 October report, the destination of Ya Qing Hai Yang remained unclear. There has been no confirmed explanation for its extended stay near the Norwegian border.
