A tanker carrying cargo from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 has passed through the Northern Sea Route for the first time and approached a gas hub, according to LSEG ship-tracking data, in the latest sign that Russia's energy exports are flowing despite Western sanctions.

According to the data, the Everest Energy tanker, which was placed under U.S. sanctions last month, was seen around 100 kilometres (around 50 nautical miles) off the Koryak, opens new tab floating storage facility in Russia's far east.

The unit is designed to facilitate Russian LNG exports to Asia, but the final destination for the cargo has not been disclosed.

The Northern Sea Route along Russia's Arctic shores from Murmansk in the west to the Bering Strait in the east is physically challenging, often requiring icebreakers, but could cut sea transport times between Europe and Asia.

The project had been set to become one of Russia's largest LNG plants with eventual output of 19.8 million metric tons per year, but its prospects have been clouded by the sanctions.

Nevertheless, ship tracking data has recently shown several cargoes being picked up from the project, as Russia continues to find buyers for its lucrative energy exports.