From 26 March 2025, European Union ports are officially closed to transshipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. Tankers delivering this type of fuel will no longer be able to use European infrastructure for transshipment and shipment to countries in Africa and Asia, which will significantly complicate export logistics for Moscow. The decision was part of the EU's sanctions policy aimed at reducing Russia's energy revenues and came into force after a nine-month grace period granted to complete previously concluded contracts.

The restrictions, adopted back in June 2024 as part of the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, prohibit not only the transshipment of Russian LNG in EU ports, but also the provision of related services. European companies are no longer allowed to provide technical assistance, financial support or brokerage services if they are related to the transshipment of gas produced or exported from Russia. The EU authorities say the purpose of these measures is to weaken the economic base of Moscow, which, in their opinion, uses revenues from energy sales to finance the military actions in Ukraine.

For Russia, the ban means major changes to its supply chains. Until now, European ports such as Zeebrugge in Belgium and Montoir-de-Bretagne in France have served as important transit hubs for LNG, especially in winter when Arctic ice conditions make direct shipments to Asia difficult. Now tankers will have to find alternative routes, which will increase transportation costs and could reduce export volumes. Experts estimate that up to 20% of Russian LNG transiting Europe was destined for third-country markets, and the loss of this opportunity will cost Moscow billions of euros annually.

The Russian side has not yet commented on the ban.