The US is preparing new sanctions against the “Nord stream – 2” media

US senators plan to introduce a bill that will expand sanctions against the pipeline “Nord stream – 2”. About it reports Bloomberg referring to the draft document, which is available to the Agency.

The document States that the earlier sanctions of the USA concerning the “Nord stream – 2” will be extended to all the activities relating to laying of pipes and insurance. The restrictive measures planned to be available to companies that provide “underwriting services, insurance or reinsurance”, for vessels working on the pipeline.

In addition, the sanctions they want to impose on companies that provide services for retrofitting or upgrading ships pipe-laying of Nord Stream 2, and against ships that will work in tandem with the pipe layer.

According to Bloomberg, is able to finish the pipeline vessel “Akademik Chersky” should work in conjunction with the pipe-laying barge “Fortuna”, to complete the construction of the “Nord stream – 2”.

According to one of the authors of the initiative, the Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz, anyone who participates in the project of the company-operator Nord Stream 2 should be clear that “will face serious and immediate American sanctions.” Democratic Senator from new Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen said that Russia is using “Nord stream — 2” will be able “to take advantage of the allied countries of the United States”. She also believes that the project “threatens the energy independence of Europe.”

As reported by Reuters, the sanctions prompted to enter and against against persons that provide port services for ships engaged in the construction of the pipeline, as well as funds for the modernization of the courts (including welding equipment).

2 June it was reported that the applicant for the completion of the pipeline “Nord stream – 2”, the ship “Akademik Chersky” changed hands, which could allow Gazprom to avoid new US sanctions.

In December 2019, the President of the United States Donald trump signed the defense budget for 2020, which envisages the introduction of sanctions against the Russian gas pipeline “Turkish stream” and “Nord stream – 2”. Immediately after that, the Swiss company Allseas has suspended work on the construction of “Nord stream – 2” and withdrew from the Baltic sea and its pipe-laying ships. Russian energy Minister Alexander Novak said that for the completion of the gas pipeline Russia could use the Russian pipe-laying vessel “Akademik Chersky”. It was transferred from the far Eastern port of Nakhodka in the Baltic sea. Now laying vessel is in the territorial waters of Germany, in the port of Mukran.

“Samara thermal power property Fund” in March was in the list of affiliated entities of Gazprom. The founders Fund was listed “Gazprom Teploenergo” and “Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Samara”. According to RBC, in late March, the STIF changed residence from Samara to Saint Petersburg. An Agency source in Gazprom said that the company believes “the sanctions risks in connection with the operation of the vessel in vain”

“Nord stream – 2” gas pipeline that will link Russia to Germany under the Baltic sea. The willingness of the pipeline is 93%. The length of the trail is more than 1,200 km, the new pipeline’s capacity will be 55 billion m3 of gas per year. The cost of the project is €9.5 billion, half of it financed by the Russian “Gazprom” and five European companies: Anglo-Dutch Shell, German Wintershall and Uniper, Engie French and Austrian OMV.

The authorities of Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are considered “Nord stream – 2” the threat to Europe’s energy security.

In 2018, Germany, Finland and Sweden were allowed to lay the pipeline through its territory, Denmark gave permission only in 2019. It was expected that the construction of the pipeline will be completed by the end of 2019, but then starting the “Nord stream – 2” is moved to the end of 2020.