Page 32 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

This month’s top news from naftikachronika.gr

ON THE Edited by:

Giannis Theodoropoulos, Manos Charitos

IS EUROPE’S ENERGY CRISIS by Reuters, the foreign ministers could
HERE TO STAY? not agree immediately on a blanket ban
The Russian invasion has changed of travel visas for Russian nationals.
the balance in the world markets and Borrell also pointed out that there has
shaken the integrity of Europe. Given been a significant increase in Russian
the diminished gas flows from Russia, border crossings into the EU since mid-
Europe could face supply shortages July, a development he described as a
for many winters until it finds a solu- “security risk for these neighbouring
tion, according to Shell CEO Ben van states”. The Kremlin’s response was
Beurden. immediate, with Dmitry Peskov calling
The main reasons for Europe’s inability the EU’s decision “ridiculous,” adding
to make up for Russian natural gas sup- that Russia was considering ways to
plies are its inadequate LNG infrastruc- respond.
ture and terminals and its competition The political decision to suspend the
with Asian markets for LNG imports. visa agreement with Russia will have
According to the Russian state-run to be endorsed by the EU’s competent
news website TASS, Dmitry Medve- legislative bodies, so it is not yet known
dev, former prime minister and current when it will come into effect. Undoubt-
vice-chairman of Russia’s Security Coun- edly, the ban will severely impact Rus-
cil, referring to Europe’s energy crisis, sian seafarers who wish to embark/dis-
pointed out that gas prices in Europe embark at EU ports and airports as well
could reach 5,000 euros per 1,000 cubic as companies as they will be unable to
metres by the end of 2022. make the related crew changes. Thus,
travelling abroad to embark on ships
THE EU SUSPENDS TRAVEL VISA will become a challenge if one con-
AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA: THE siders that many Ukrainian seafarers
IMPACT ON CREW CHANGES are already stranded on vessels in the
EU foreign ministers agreed on Black Sea. It is reminded that Russian
Wednesday, 31 August, to suspend the and Ukrainian seafarers comprise 15% of
visa facilitation agreement with Russia, the global shipping workforce.
making access to the EU more difficult
and costly for Russian citizens. THE "DROUGHT" IN LARGE
“The number of new visas issued by EU TANKER ORDERS IS OVER
member states will be reduced. It will The VLCC order “drought” appears to
be more difficult and take longer,” noted be ending as favourable conditions have
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell been prevailing in the market recently.
after the foreign ministers’ meeting, According to data in a recent Xclusiv
referring to the decision. Shipbrokers report, no orders for VLCCs
According to diplomatic sources cited had been registered in the last eighteen

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