Belgium imports only Russian LNG in July

Belgium imported all of its LNG from Russia in July as European and Asian countries compete for scarce supplies of the super-chilled fuel amid the Middle East conflict.

Faced with high LNG prices, many European countries chose in July to reduce imports and let gas stockpiles dip. Belgium’s imports of the super-chilled fuel plummeted by over 40% in July. Meanwhile, Germany’s gas storage facilities have fallen to 47%, while France’s are at 56%.

Belgium was Europe’s fifth largest importer of LNG in 2025. However, in July, Brussels purchased just 0.4 mn tonnes of LNG, all of it from Russia, according to ship-tracking data Bloomberg compiled. Belgium also imported pipeline gas from Norway and the UK in July. 

The imports from Russia come despite the European Union’s ban coming into effect on April 25 prohibiting members from purchasing short-term and spot market Russian LNG. EU utilities also purchased their highest monthly total of Russian LNG in the month prior to the ban.

A full ban on all Russian LNG, including long-term contracts comes into force for the EU on January 1, 2027.

Even before the Middle East conflict flared up, Europe was having a difficult time laying off Russian LNG. Europe bought every single LNG cargo produced by Russia’s Yamal LNG plant in February.

And in January, Europe’s dependence on LNG from the US and Russia soared to an all-time, with the two countries supplying over 80% of the continent’s total seaborne imports.

Currently, the EU maintains that it will enforce its complete ban on Russian LNG beginning in January.

However, in late July, the EU granted Greek shipping line Dynagas the right to continue transporting Russian LNG in a major compromise with Athens.

In order to approve its 21st sanctions package against Russia, Brussels needed to allow Dynagas to continue shipping Russian LNG cargoes to third countries. The deal runs for 12-months and could be renewed.

Although, the bloc did impose a limit on volumes, capping it at 2025 levels with Greece also promising to extend the price cap on Russian oil for one year to $44.10 a barrel, well below market rates.