In Europe, which relies on imports of much of its natural gas from Russia, as tensions in the situation in Ukraine increase, the movement to procure natural gas from outside Russia is accelerating from the perspective of energy security.
At the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which is the largest in Europe, the number of tankers loaded with LNG = liquefied natural gas has increased since mid-December last year, reaching about 60 in the last two months, which is half of last year. It means that the tanker has arrived at the port.
On the 22nd, tankers loaded with LNG came and went one after another from Texas and Egypt in the United States, and LNG was unloaded all night at the dedicated wharf.
A person in charge of the public corporation that manages the port said, "I heard that the number of tankers from the United States and other countries is increasing due to the situation in Ukraine. It is the busiest ever."
The EU-European Union relies on Russia for about 40% of its natural gas imports, and if the West imposes sanctions, Russia may limit the supply of gas to Europe as a countermeasure. We have rushed to procure from countries other than Russia, such as the United States and Qatar in the Middle East.
Last month, it secured about 10 billion cubic meters, and even if supply from Russia stagnates, it can be dealt with for the time being.
However, some countries, such as Germany, which has relied on the procurement of most of its natural gas from the Russian pipeline, do not have facilities to accept LNG, which may affect economic activities due to the cost of transportation from other countries. There is sex.
In Europe, which is rushing to decarbonize, while it takes time to expand renewable energy, the demand for natural gas is increasing due to the fact that it emits less greenhouse gas than coal and oil, and the price remains high.
The situation in Ukraine is accelerating this, and diversification of suppliers has become a major issue for Europe from the perspective of energy security.