What advantages does Germany have from the pipeline?
The pipeline would double the amount of gas that Russia can pump directly to Germany. Russian natural gas covers around half of Germany’s gas needs. Gas keeps half of German households warm and is the key to processing industries such as ceramics in Europe’s largest economy. Gas accounted for just over 15% of German electricity generation last year, according to the energy and water industry association BDEW.
A report on its first year on its website states that in order to complete the pipeline, “US illegal threats had to be met by a variety of measures which, for obvious reasons, cannot be publicly explained”.
The commercial branch, which conducts its activities related to the pipeline, will be headed by a person appointed by Nord Stream 2, in accordance with the Foundation’s charter.
Public records show that the foundation owns the Blue Ship, a general cargo ship built in 2006 and flying the Cypriot flag. The vessel, which was stationed in Russia’s port of Murmansk for much of 2020, entered the Baltic Sea on July 1 last year and has since moored near the port of Mukran, some 30 km (18 miles) from the pipeline’s landing point in Lubmin removed. No other vessels are registered with the foundation.
A State Department report to Congress last November said the Blue Ship is one of two vessels involved in pipeline-laying activities at Nord Stream 2 or another approved project.
However, the Blue Ship was not sanctioned. The State Department said the shipowner was exempt from sanctions. A 2021 bill enacting the sanctions said European Union governments, as well as non-corporate EU governments, were excluded. The State Department did not elaborate.
US President Joe Biden’s administration waived some sanctions on Nord Stream 2 in May 2021 as Washington sought to rebuild ties with Germany after ties deteriorated under former President Donald Trump.
(Photo: Reuters)
