the Only Russian vessel “Akademik Chersky”, is able to complete the last sea leg of the gas pipeline “Nord stream-2”, is no longer the property of “Gazprom”. We traced the reasons for this and possible impact on the further construction of the pipeline.
Now on the “academic plan” may not be subject to American sanctions that hinder the completion of the project. Russian mining concern from a legal point of view have tried as far as possible away from pipe-layer to expose the owners of the ship under the restrictive measures, which is going to impose on them Washington. Such methods allow to hold on the remaining 160 km gas route to the coast of Germany, but the immediate operation of the pipeline is scheduled to start by the middle of next year, could hinder additional obstacles that threaten US.
Earlier the ship, which was part of the company “Gazprom FLOT”, which deals with construction of transport branches and transport of goods holding company, became the property “of the Samara thermal power asset Fund” (STIF). But then, this Fund changed its registration from Samara to Saint Petersburg and is now completely removed from the list of affiliates associated directly with “Gazprom”.
it is Necessary to remind that the operator of the construction of a new pipeline is Nord Stream 2, which is fully owned by Gazprom. The completion of the last marine cut, which is located in the waters of Denmark, interfere with local legislative aspects. However, the Copenhagen eventually gave consent for the construction of the pipeline in its waters that removed obstacles to the completion of the project.
However, obstacles to Russia’s new gas pipeline came to the coast of Germany, where already ready to take the “blue fuel” on this thread survived. Us senators at the legislative level approved restrictions against all partners of Gazprom participating in the laying of pipes, and even threatened punishment for those who insure, conducts maintenance and upgrades involved in the project courts. Moreover, constraints may relate to the state agencies conducting the certification of already constructed. As stated by the head of the US state Department Mike Pompeo to the European investors “Nord stream-2”: “Get out, or you go on the risk” and threatened that the United States will impose additional sanctions against the Russian gas pipeline and those involved in its creation.
According to the expert of the Financial University under the government of the Russian Federation Igor Yushkov, Gazprom has long wanted to play it safe and de jure to move away from the “academic left”, owned by “Gazprom FLOT” tothe first belonged to the group and also fell under the sanctions, Washington. “Samara thermal power asset Fund” restrictions do not seem concerned.
however, us sanctions from 2019 assumed that in the case of such maneuvers, the claim can automatically be extended to the new owner of the vessel. Apparently, the lawyers of “Gazprom”, by removing the Fund from the list of its affiliates tried to finally protect “Academician” from the restrictions.
However, there is a possibility that the legal efforts of the Russian Corporation will not directly affect future developments around the “Nord stream-2”. If the first package of us sanctions was imposed a ban for European companies to participate in the completion of the pipeline, the new restrictions affect its operation. It is possible that, when “Gazprom” will finish the pipeline, its European partners will not issue a license for its use. In addition, Brussels is in stock, there is the Third energy package, which require to be connected to the energy supply to Europe independent producers not associated with Gazprom. In such circumstances, to load “Nord stream-2” at full capacity, Russia is unlikely to succeed and pipeline, despite ongoing political, economic and investment moves will remain half empty.
