Lithuania’s Klaipeda LNG terminal suspends acceptance of Russian cargoes

KN, the operator of the Klaipeda LNG terminal, informed that as of 3 March acceptance of Novatek cargoes from Russia is suspended.

KN is the operator of the LNG terminal, which accepts LNG cargoes ordered by the customers of the LNG terminal according to the set schedule, provides regassification and reloading services. In the market, LNG cargo is procured and delivered by the terminal users themselves.

According to the available data, Novatek group companies supply LNG cargo to LNG terminal users. Although KN itself does not have contracts with Novatek, it contacted LNG terminal clients and asked to ensure compliance with sanctions in their operations.

In the absence of information that LNG terminal users are complying with the sanctions, acceptance of Novatek’s cargo at the LNG terminal is suspended.
 
KN also approached the Lithuanian authorities assessing the compliance of agreements with national security interests and coordinating the application of sanctions. It asked for additional recommendations and clarification on the application of EU sanctions in the company’s activities as a terminal operator when LNG cargoes are purchased and unloaded by LNG terminal users.

In 2021, 62 per cent total of consumed gas in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland went through the LNG terminal. The biggest share was imported from the U.S. through the infrastructure in Klaipeda last year.

A total of seven companies used the LNG terminal; four from Lithuania, two from Estonia, and one from Norway.