EU Efforts to Reduce Russian LNG Ring Hollow as Imports Reach New High The EU and its member states remain unable to control the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Despite voluntary measures and repeated discussions in Brussels, imports have now reached new record highs. The upcoming transshipment ban in March 2025 could inadvertently further increase imports.
Belgium Pushes For Creation of EU-Wide Tracking System for Russian LNG EU member state officials continue discussions on how best to curb the inflow of Russian liquefied natural gas. Now Belgium has proposed an LNG tracker to ensure that existing and upcoming sanctions are effectively implemented.
Norway Implements New Sanctions, But Russian LNG Vessels Still Allowed to Stop at Honningsvåg Norway passed a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, including the import and transshipment of liquefied natural gas. But the latest measures do not address the continued use of Norwegian port facilities by LNG carriers in service of Russia. Danish shipyard Fayard A/S similarly continues providing drydock services, with another Arc7 LNG carrier now at the Odense facility.
Norway Implements New Sanctions, But Russian LNG Vessels Still Allowed to Stop at Honningsvåg Norway passed a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, including the import and transshipment of liquefied natural gas. But the latest measures do not address the continued use of Norwegian port facilities by LNG carriers in service of Russia. Danish shipyard Fayard A/S similarly continues providing drydock services, with another Arc7 LNG carrier now at the Odense facility.
EU Bans Resale of Russian LNG, Impacts Remain to be Seen After much debate and wrangling the EU and its member states are set to sanction the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas in EU ports. It will take months for the impact of the ban, which is suggested to come into effect in March 2025, to become apparent. In anticipation of sanctions Novatek has begun assembling a growing fleet of LNG carriers.
EU Receives 100 Shipments of LNG and Gas Condensate from Yamal LNG Project Russia continues to send nearly the entirety of LNG and gas condensate production from Yamal LNG to Europe. Throughout the first 120 days of 2024, EU member states took delivery of almost 100 shipments – each valued in the range of USD 40 million.
EU Looking to Pass 14th Sanctions Package End of June, Including Partial Ban on Russian LNG The pathway for the 14th EU sanctions package and related measures against Russia’s liquefied natural gas sector continues to materialize. European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson expressed optimism that the measures could be agreed upon by the end of June.
Germany Supports Swedish Push for EU Ban of Russian LNG Just days after Swedish calls to sanction imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, German government officials confirmed their support for an EU-wide ban. The measures could be included in the upcoming 14th sanctions package, but are likely to face resistance from major Russian LNG importing countries such as Spain, Belgium and France.
Sweden Calls for Ban of Russian LNG Ahead of EU Meeting The EU continues to inch toward a comprehensive ban of Russian liquefied natural gas. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom confirmed the need to include LNG in the upcoming 14th sanctions package against Russia.
