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53 min ago 2 min read
The European Commission is expected to announce a 12-month exemption for transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries outside of the EU, as part of a new sanctions package, according to reports.
Eligible transport volumes would reportedly be capped at 2025 levels, allowing existing shipments to continue but preventing further increases under the exemption.
According to research group Urgewald, the EU received 136 cargoes and 9.97 million tonnes of Russian Arctic LNG in the first six months of 2026, up 16% from the same period in 2025.
The exemption would allow operators, including Greek shipping company Dynagas, to continue transporting Russian LNG. Greece had objected to the terms of the sanctions package last week, according to reports.
gasworld understands the package will be officially unveiled on Thursday (23 July).
Dynagas operates five of the 15 specialised Arc7 LNG carriers serving Yamal LNG, a 14.4 million tonnes per annum LNG facility in Russia’s western Arctic.
The company’s vessels transported 49 Yamal LNG cargoes totalling 3.58 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, according to market analysis, representing around 35% of the project’s exports during the period.
According to Capital Link Insights, Greek shipowners control around 22% of the global LNG carrier fleet, highlighting the country’s significant role in LNG shipping.
The announcement forms part of the wider 21st sanctions package against Russia over its war in Ukraine. It is believed the package also includes a 12-month freeze on the Russian oil price cap at $44.10 a barrel.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X, “I welcome the agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia.
“At a time when Ukraine has built military momentum, our sanctions continue to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort.”
However, Alexander Kirk, Sanctions Campaigner at Urgewald, criticised the reported exemption as a “renewable European lifeline”, arguing that the cap would preserve Dynagas’ current business rather than phase it out.
