LSEG data revealed on Monday that the Pioneer tanker sanctioned by America for its links with Russian-sourced liquefied gas (LNG) has passed through Suez Canal carrying an LNG cargo.

It was not immediately known where the LNG-flagged Pioneer would be heading or what its source was. The tanker's owner is Zara Shipholding Co., with offices in Dubai and Mumbai.

Since late last year, most shippers avoid the Suez route to avoid being attacked by Houthis who are aligned with Iran in the Red Sea.

The canal is an important trade link between Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. It channels nearly 12% percent of all global cargo. The current crisis forces shipping companies to take longer routes which disrupts their schedules and increases their costs.

The world's fuel producers, such as Russia, are now forced to change their delivery routes to Asia, and to go around Africa.

In a recent move, Washington sanctioned two companies, two vessels and Pioneer in relation to the Russian Arctic LNG 2 Project.

According to the U.S. State Department, Pioneer participated in a ship-to -ship gas transfer from Arctic LNG 2 at 25 August. Reporting by

(source: Reuters)