February 18, 2025

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Germany introduced a ban on Russian LNG in its ports (video)


The German government has banned state-owned LNG terminals from receiving Russian gas, as this contradicts the country's desire to completely get rid of energy dependence on Russia.

How notes The Moscow Times, Russian LNG exports as a whole could suffer as a result of trade arrangements between EU and the new US presidential administration.

Deutsche Energy Terminal has informed the government that its terminal in Brunsbüttel is preparing to receive cargo from Russia on Sunday. However, in response The Ministry of Economy has given instructions “not to accept any deliveries of Russian LNG… and to refuse to accept them until further notice.”says the letter seen by the Financial Times.

The document states that the government adopted the ban in order to protect “public interests.” The ministry stated that if the receipt of LNG from Russia is allowed, this will contradict the very idea of ​​​​building import terminals, which is to make Germany and the EU as a whole “independent of Russian gas.”

Left without Russian pipeline gas in 2022, Germany quickly built several import LNG terminals. Until now, they have not accepted Russian fuel, although the German company Sefe has a long-term contract to purchase it from Yamal LNG. However, according to Kpler, the company sends almost all volumes to a terminal in France, which, after regasification, transports the gas through pipelines to other European countries. Germany began receiving pipeline gas from France in October 2022.

The main recipients of Russian LNG are France, Spain and Belgium. Companies importing it work under long-term contracts and can only terminate them in the event of a pan-European ban. So far, only Belgium has called for such a ban.

However, LNG could become a bargaining chip in trade negotiations between the European Union and the administration of newly elected US President Donald Trump, who intends to promote the international interests of American energy companies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last Friday:

“We still get a lot of LNG from Russia, why not replace it with American, which is cheaper for us and lowers our energy prices? We can very well discuss this issue.”

Meanwhile The European Parliament called for action against Russia's “shadow fleet”, writes euronews. MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday 14 November aimed at limiting Russia's ability to export crude oil using outdated ships and thus avoid EU and G7 sanctions. This is another call in the fight against circumventing Western sanctions against Russia.

MEPs are calling on the 27 member states to strengthen controls and inspections using drones and satellites. All ships sailing in European waters without known insurance must be punished, the text of the resolution says.



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