EU imports record 9.97 million tonnes of Yamal LNG in H1 2026

The European Union imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas from Russia's Yamal LNG project in the first half of 2026, paying an estimated 5.96 to 6.82 billion euros for the fuel ahead of a planned import ban. According to an analysis of shipping data by the environmental group Urgewald, 136 of the 140 cargoes exported from the Arctic facility between January and June were delivered to EU ports, accounting for more than 97 percent of the project's global exports.

The record imports, totaling 9.97 million metric tons, represent a 16 percent increase in volume compared to the same period in 2025. This surge comes despite the EU's phased sanctions regime designed to end Russian gas imports following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While imports under new short-term contracts were banned from April 2026, deliveries under pre-existing long-term contracts are permitted to continue until January 1, 2027. Officials have noted that companies appear to be front-loading deliveries ahead of that deadline.

France was the largest importer, receiving 51 cargoes carrying 3.74 million tonnes. Belgium imported 37 cargoes and Spain received 34 cargoes. The ports of Zeebrugge in Belgium, and...