Latest UK sanctions set up maritime services ban for Russian LNG

British firms will be banned from providing services for LNG cargoes exported from Russia under a new round of measures announced at the group of seven (G7) highly industrialised nations’ foreign ministers’ meeting. 

The UK announced the services ban as part of a £13Bn (US$17Bn) aid package that is aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s energy sector and bringing humanitarian relief to Ukrainians most affected by the loss of energy, heat and water from Russia’s intensified bombing of Ukraine’s utilities. 

"Russia has actively chosen to make Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure a target throughout the war. Now as we enter a cold winter, they are escalating brutal attacks on power and heating networks, as Putin tries to grind the Ukrainian people down. However, Ukraine continues to show remarkable resilience keeping the lights on against the odds," a statement from the UK government said.

Along with the aid package, the UK said it was announcing its intention to introduce a maritime services ban on Russian LNG, building on the recent targeting of Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with a handful of LNG carriers.

"This action will significantly reduce Russian exports of LNG and directly cut off access to the UK’s world-leading maritime services. The ban will be phased in over 2026 in lockstep with our European partners," the UK said.

In October, the European Council adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting Moscow’s LNG exports for the first time and designating more than 100 additional vessels. In the sanctions round, the EU designated 117 additional vessels, which are now subject to port access bans and restrictions on maritime-related services, bringing the total to 557 sanctioned ships.

The EU’s measures came in the wake of similar US and UK sanctions against Russian oil majors, vessels and export terminals as Europe and the US continue to exert financial pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin after more than three years of unprovoked war against its neighbour Ukraine.