During the first 11 months of last year, 50% per cent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) arriving by tanker at the West Flemish port of Zeebrugge came from Russia. This is according to figures from the Federal Economy Department. The grid operator Fluxys says that during the first 11 months of last year a total of 120 terawatt hours (TWh) of LNG were imported into Belgium last year.
In addition to Russia, Qatar is an important supplier of LNG with 29% of the LNG that arrived at Zeebrugge coming from there. 15% of the LNG arriving in Belgium came from the United States.
In its report the Federal Economy Department notes that "a significant proportion" of the Russian LNG arriving at Zeebrugge is destined for transshipment and leaves immediately by ship for other destinations.
A quarter of the LNG that arrived at the West Flemish port during the first 11 months of last year was re-exported by ship or truck. Fluxys figures also show that last year Belgium (re)exported more than twice as much gas as it consumed (357 TWh). Germany is the leading destination with 212 terawatt hours. Total gas consumption fell to 152.1 TWh last year, the lowest level since 1997.
Calls for a ban on transshipments of Russian gas
Just a few months ago, some 20 Ukrainian and Belgian groups, including the environmental pressure group Bond Beter Leefmilieu, called for a ban on Russian gas transshipments at European ports. They also demanded urgent steps to further reduce gas dependence on Russia.