Greenpeace Blocks Zeebrugge LNG Terminal Disrupting EU Russian US Gas Imports

Around 70 Greenpeace activists from 17 countries staged a coordinated blockade at Belgium's Zeebrugge LNG terminal, disrupting tanker access to protest the European Union's continued imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia and the United States. The protest, involving kayaks and boats, temporarily halted vessel movements and aimed to last until Sunday, highlighting the EU's energy reliance on fossil fuels amid geopolitical tensions and climate concerns. Greenpeace criticized the EU for providing revenue to Moscow through Russian LNG imports and warned that increased imports from the U.S. would perpetuate long-term fossil fuel dependence. The activists called for the EU to phase out fossil gas and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, underscoring the climate impact and geopolitical risks of current energy policies. The Zeebrugge terminal is a key LNG gateway for Europe, with Belgium among the major EU LNG importers, receiving nearly 45% of its LNG from the U.S. and about 20% from Russia in 2024. This protest comes amid EU discussions on accelerating the ban on Russian fossil fuel imports, with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to increase American gas purchases also noted.