Dutch Urge Tougher Sanctions as Russian LNG Imports Surge
(Reuters) — Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia at the Netherlands' main terminal in Rotterdam have risen in recent months, underlining the need for further sanctions, the Dutch government said on Monday.
Imports of Russian LNG at the GATE terminal in Europe's largest sea port have increased in the third quarter, as the average number of Russian carriers that arrived there doubled to two per month, the government said.
This increase could be an effect of new sanctions that came into effect this summer, it said, prohibiting the throughput of Russian LNG from the EU to countries outside the union - but not the import of it for EU countries themselves.
This has likely shifted trading routes to terminals with sufficient capacity for EU imports, such as the one in Rotterdam, Dutch Energy minister Sophie Hermans said in a letter to parliament.
"We want to responsibly cut Russian gas imports and this development is therefore worrying and undesirable," Hermans said. "A common European approach is crucial," she added.
Hermans said she would discuss the need for further sanctions at the next gathering of EU energy ministers on Oct. 15, with the aim of getting it on the agenda of the council of government leaders, who ultimately decide on sanctions.
Hermans said she also expected the European Commission to clarify in coming months how countries can take targeted measures themselves.
Related News
Related News

- Trump Puts Keystone XL Pipeline Back in Discussion, Though Revival Faces Developer Resistance
- Army Corps Lists Enbridge’s Line 5 as ‘Emergency’ Project Eligible to Bypass Environmental Review
- Missouri Loses Control Over 1.5 Million-Mile Gas Pipeline Network as Feds Step In
- Energy Transfer Wins New York Court Ruling in $150 Million Pipeline Fraud Case
- $3 Billion Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion to Add 1.3 Bcf Capacity in Southeast Region
- Kinder Morgan Approves $1.4 Billion Mississippi Crossing Project to Boost Southeast Gas Supply
- Army Corps Lists Enbridge’s Line 5 as ‘Emergency’ Project Eligible to Bypass Environmental Review
- India’s GAIL Eyes U.S. LNG Deals Following Trump’s Policy Shift
- TC Energy Beats Q4 Profit Estimates, Driven by Mexico Pipelines' Success
- Michigan Court Backs Permits for Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project
Comments