The new package prohibits all future business dealings with Russian LNG projects. Additionally, following a transition period of nine months, any vessel with Russian LNG on its manifest will no longer be permitted to dock in an EU port if the shipment is ultimately destined for a third country.
“This covers both ship-to-ship transfers and ship-to-shore transfers, as well as re-loading operations,” the EU said.
These measures, which are meant to further sever the West from its dependency on Russia’s vast energy reserves, will also deny Moscow future opportunities to export LNG through its terminals not connected to the EU gas pipeline network.
For the first time since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade, the EU will take measures against Russia’s seaborne trade vessels that contribute to its war against Ukraine. Vessels carrying military equipment, stolen Ukrainian grain, and infrastructure meant to support its energy sector are now subject to the sanctions.
This similarly targets ships that comprise Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’, which have long flaunted international sanctions by going dark out at sea. Through what is known as Deceptive Shipping Practices (DSPs), Russian oil tankers have been known to go off the grid by disabling their identification systems, impersonating clean ships, or falsifying their manifests to sell what they otherwise wouldn’t be allowed to.
As part of its 14th round of sanctions, the EU has identified 27 vessels linked to Russian dark fleet activity, and has promised action against others that help the Kremlin wage war against Ukraine.
“Our sanctions have already significantly weakened the Russian economy and prevented Putin from accomplishing his plans to destroy Ukraine, although he still continues the illegal aggression targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Similarly, 61 entities across non-EU countries such as China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and the UAE are now subject to tighter export restrictions over concerns that they have directly supported Russia’s military and industrial complex.
Capping off the latest sanctions package is the blacklisting of Russia’s financial messaging system SPFS, a ban on all transactions with banks and crypto asset providers that facilitate Moscow’s defence industry, and the discontinuation of all future Russian helium imports.
