Dynagas LNG Partners has stated that three of its LNG carriers that were chartered to Russia’s Gazprom now belong to the German Government. They further noted that the German energy regulator had taken control of the three carriers indefinitely after Germany took control of Gazprom Germania in April. This is a part of the emergency plans for Germany for energy security.
The vessels AMUR RIVER and the OB RIVER were chartered to a unit of Gazprom till 2028, while the third vessel, the CLEAN ENERGY, was chartered till 2026. The ships have been in control of Germany since Germany’s Federal Network Energy took over Gazprom Germania and all its subsidiaries. Since then, Gazprom Germania has been renamed “Securing Energy for Europe.” Local media has stated that this acquisition allows Germany to operate the Astora gas storage facility in Lower Saxony, which is an integral part of the country’s energy infrastructure.
The seizing of the vessels is an implementation of an emergency plan by Germany for energy security in the contingency that the gas supplies from Russia are completely cut off. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock stated at a NATO summit that they would be forced to make difficult decisions about which sectors will face power outages if the supply from Nord Stream 1 stops. Germany is also in talks with Canada to secure LNG exports as it relies heavily on Russian gas, importing 59.2 billion m3 of it in 2021.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.