EU Ports Have Stopped Providing Transshipment Services for Russian LNG.

As of March 26, EU countries are prohibited from providing transshipment services for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.

Sanctions were imposed in June 2024, but a reprieve was granted until March 26, 2025, to fulfill contracts signed before June 25, 2024. Technical support, brokerage services, financing, or financial assistance for transshipment are also prohibited, reports Interfax.

Transshipment services for Russian LNG may be allowed by EU authorities if necessary for transportation to a member state of the union and intended for its energy supply.

The largest known transshipment contract was made between 'Yamal LNG' (part of 'NOVATEK') and the Belgian company Fluxys. According to the Russian company, a specially constructed tank with a volume of 180 thousand cubic meters will allow the transshipment of up to 8 million tons of Yamal LNG per year. 'Yamal LNG' began using the tank for LNG transshipment at the Belgian terminal Zeebrugge under a 20-year agreement in 2019.

'Yamal LNG' terminals in Europe are used, in particular, for transshipping LNG from ice-class gas carriers to conventional ones and supplying to other markets, including Asia.