Russia is continuing to export liquefied natural gas from its U.S.-sanctioned Arctic project this winter with only one icebreaker, highlighting the country’s urgent need for more vessels capable of navigating through ice-covered waters. Vessel tracking data shows that the icebreaker “Christophe de Margerie” docked Monday at the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 export facility and is expected to complete its third shipment since December 20. The vessel is the only active ship in Russia’s currently identified “shadow fleet” capable of navigating icy waters year-round. The continued exports provide a boost to Russia, which is struggling to push gas sales amid tightening Western restrictions and the loss of Europe, its largest buyer. Last winter, the Arctic LNG 2 project was forced to significantly cut production due to a lack of vessels and near-capacity storage facilities. Vessel data shows that this sole icebreaker currently enables Arctic LNG 2 to maintain approximately 25% of its production capacity.