/Reuters Agency
At least three ships loaded with liquefied natural gas (LNG) would have diverted from the Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium, according to recently published LSEG data, while Greenpeace activists were blocking the maritime station in protest of the European Union’s (EU) imports of Russian gas.
Belgium is the second largest European importer of Russian LNG, with 2.3 million metric tons received from January to August 2025, behind France, which received 4 million tons in the same period.
LSEG analysts noted that the vessels Megara and Rias Baixas Knutsen, both with cargo originating from the United States, and the LNG Phecda, which is transporting Russian gas, appeared to have changed course.
The Arctic Voyager, coming from Norway, could also face delays. The latter was scheduled to arrive on the evening of Thursday, October 2, and the other three throughout the week, according to LSEG data.
Greenpeace began its protest on Wednesday, October 1 in the afternoon, using kayaks, life rafts, and a sailboat to block the entrance of the terminal in protest of the continued imports of Russian LNG to the EU, despite Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The action is expected to continue until Sunday, October 5, according to Fluxys, the terminal operator, who added that there has been no impact on operations or the outflow from the terminal itself.
Other vessels carrying cargo not destined for the LNG terminal have not been interrupted, but should proceed with greater caution due to the protests, according to a spokesperson for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The EU plans to ban imports of Russian LNG one year earlier than planned as part of a 19th sanctions package against Moscow, following pressure from US President Donald Trump.
