Rotterdam's energy imports still unaffected by latest sanctions on Russia

The latest set of sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia have “not (yet) affected” energy imports through the Port of Rotterdam, the port authority says.

PHOTO: Oil refinery and storage tanks in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Getty Images

This is because there is a transition period for phasing out Russian imports of energy products including crude oil, oil products, LNG and coal, it says.

On 3 June, the European Council announced a sixth sanction package, prohibiting imports of crude and oil products from Russia. Seaborne crude imports will be phased out over six months, oil products over eight months.

Data from the cargo tracker Vortexa shows that Russia continues to be the top source of fuel oil imports for Rotterdam and other ARA ports. 57% of the ARA's fuel oil imports came from Russia in the first week of June.