While the UK and the Netherlands have banned domestic companies from transferring Russian LNG to another ship and then exporting it, data from 2023 suggests that shipments of Russian gas are regularly “transferred” by tankers in Belgium, France and Spain.
The main shipping operations of the Russian Arctic Fleet are usually between special tankers sailing between the Yamal Peninsula and northwestern Europe and regular LNG tankers sailing to other ports. Belgium, Spain and France receive large quantities from the Yamal LNG plant in Siberia.
21% of Russian LNG flowing into the European Union between January and September 2023 will be transported to countries outside the European Union, including China, Japan and Bangladesh.
Despite EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels, LNG transports continue to rise, with the European Commission urging member states to phase out the use of Russian fossil fuels by 2027. This poses a dilemma, as it may be difficult EU governments that depend on Russian LNG should take action against its re-export, the newspaper wrote. Financial Times.
While the European Union has increased its imports of LNG from the United States, Norway and Qatar to replace Russian pipeline gas, it will import a record amount of LNG from Russia this year. Long-term contracts, such as Fluxys and Jamal’s 20-year deal that expires in 2039, are contributing to continued imports. EU decision-makers are powerless because they are contractual obligations, and they fear compensation claims from Russian or European companies if they are violated.
With EU officials expressing concern about the volume of Russian LNG coming into the bloc, policymakers are expected in December to agree on rules that would allow member states to limit Russian and Belarusian operators’ access to EU gas infrastructure.
Cover image source: Getty Images
