Belgium Relies Heavily on Russian Gas Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

Belgium's reliance on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) has reached an all-time high, with the country becoming completely dependent on Russia for LNG imports in July. According to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, total LNG flows to Belgium fell by more than 40% in July compared to the previous year.

The reduction in supplies was largely due to persistently high gas prices caused by shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, which led most buyers on the continent to refrain from purchasing LNG for winter reserves. As a result, Belgium's imports from Russia were smaller than earlier this year, but these figures complicate the European Union's energy policy.

The EU has imposed a ban on Russian LNG starting next year, but industry observers have questioned the ban if supply disruptions from the Middle East continue. Low gas reserves in Europe for the upcoming winter, currently at the lowest seasonal level on record since 2009, further complicate the situation.