A Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ship linked to Chinese ownership is raising serious concerns after being spotted faking its real location at sea. The vessel, named CCH Gas, is believed to be involved in helping a Russian LNG export project avoid United States sanctions. New satellite images show that the ship’s reported position does not match its actual location, adding to suspicions of secret activity.
This development is gaining global attention, as it highlights how some ships operate secretly to move restricted fuel around the world. It also shows the growing use of “dark fleet” tactics — a term used for ships that hide their identity, switch off tracking systems, or pretend to be in places they are not, to escape international monitoring.
Suspicious Ship Activity Comes to Light
The CCH Gas vessel is listed as owned by a company with an address in Hong Kong. According to ship-tracking tools, the ship has been showing the same location for almost an entire week. It claims to be sitting idle off the eastern coast of Malaysia. However, new satellite images from Copernicus Sentinel-2, captured between October 28 and November 2, tell a different story.
These images show that the CCH Gas vessel was not present in the location it claimed to be. This strongly suggests that the ship is engaged in location spoofing. Spoofing means sending wrong information about a ship’s location to hide where it actually is.
This is not the first time the ship has caught the eye of authorities. Earlier in October, satellite images showed the CCH Gas positioned next to another tanker named Perle. Tracking data showed that the Perle was carrying LNG from Russia’s Portovaya plant. This plant has been under US sanctions since January. The two vessels were seen very close to each other in a position commonly used for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers.
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Why the Ship’s Location Matters
Ships at sea are required to share their real-time locations for safety and monitoring. When a vessel sends a false location, it becomes harder for authorities to track its movement, making it easier to transfer restricted cargo without being noticed.
This tactic is common among the “dark fleet” — ships that hide their identity by switching off tracking systems or falsifying signals to avoid detection. Many of these vessels are involved in moving sanctioned oil or gas.
Location spoofing is often used to escape Western monitoring and continue restricted fuel trade. In the case of the CCH Gas, concerns are high as the vessel is suspected of helping move Russian LNG despite US sanctions. With Russia facing strict limits on its energy exports, such hidden movements help it reach buyers willing to accept the cargo.
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Russia’s LNG Trade Under Pressure
In today’s world, ships carrying goods across the oceans must share their real-time location through digital signals. These signals allow tracking for safety, security, and transparency. When a ship sends out a fake location signal, it becomes difficult for authorities to monitor its movement. This creates room for illegal trade, hidden deals, or restricted cargo exchanges.
Experts say that faking location is a deliberate method to avoid Western monitoring systems. When a ship is involved in secret deals, turning “dark” helps it trade fuel quietly without being stopped by sanctions.
In the case of CCH Gas, the concern is particularly high because the ship is believed to be indirectly assisting Russia. Russia has been facing heavy restrictions from Western countries after recent geopolitical conflicts. These sanctions limit Russia’s ability to sell its oil and gas freely. But Russia is now trying to find new buyers and new ways to ship its fuel to countries willing to purchase it.
The location spoofing by CCH Gas raises questions about what the ship is carrying now, where it is going, and who is receiving the fuel. At the moment, there is no clear information on its actual route or destination.