Russia may have turned off its natural gas pipelines, but it continues to send LNG cargoes to gas-hungry Europe. Western nations are sanctioning the Russians and arming the Ukrainians, while at the same time buying Russian gas and oil, funding Putin’s war machine. The paradox reflects the fact that the West, and especially Europe, fell asleep satisfied with the low prices of Russian energy products and woke up trapped and dependent on Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mobility in Russian ports from which LNG cargoes depart for international markets is indisputable proof of the difficulty of weaning Europe off Russian natural gas. The major ports of Europe from France, Belgium and the Netherlands and further north to Finland and Norway to the south in Spain, did not stop receiving Russian-origin LNG cargoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From February 24, 2022, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, until September 24, 2022, 256 LNG ships sailed from Russian ports, of which 195 were headed to Europe and 61 to Japan. Of the ships destined for Europe, 77 unloaded in Belgium, 46 in France, 17 in the Netherlands, 16 in Finland, 4 in Estonia, 2 in Latvia, 2 in Norway and 31 in Spanish ports. At the same time, tankers continued to plow the seas for the transport of Russian crude and petroleum products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The total cargoes to the international market even appear increased compared to the corresponding period of 2021. From the three Russian ports, 1859 tankers left for various international destinations in the period from February 24, 2002 to September 24, 2022, from 1844 in the corresponding period of 2021. Russian oil exports to the US did not stop either, although they were limited to just nine cargoes compared to 128 in the same period last year. In Europe, shipments of Russian oil and petroleum products followed a downward trend during this period, although some countries significantly reduced their imports (eg Greece).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In total, during this period of geopolitical tension, 1,098 ships left Russian ports bound for Europe, up from 1,273 last year. Exports to Greece increased to 101 cargoes from 87, as well as to Italy, 186 cargoes from 139, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Baltic countries. Most of the cargoes 231 in this period as well (from 241 last year) were headed to the Netherlands which is an international oil transportation hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that the current EU oil sanctions agreed in June include an embargo on oil transported by sea, a ban on the provision of services needed to transport oil (insurance, brokerage and financing), but also exemptions for pipeline deliveries. This package is due to enter into force in December for crude oil transported by sea and in early 2023 for refined oil products.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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