Politics

Poland halts LPG cargo at Belarus border, suspecting sanctions trick

Photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
Polish officials believe the gas may be of Russian origin. Illustrative photo by John Ewing/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
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More than 100 rail tank cars carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been halted at the Polish-Belarus border on suspicion the fuel may be of Russian origin, in violation of EU sanctions, Polish tax authorities have confirmed.

The cargo, shipped by Kazakhstani energy company Tengizchevroil, has been held up at border checkpoints in the Belarusian cities of Brest and Baranavichy, reported Poland’s state news agency, PAP, citing a Kazakhstani news website. 


Polish customs officials suspect the LPG may have come from Russia and then been re-sold as Kazakh gas. They are demanding proof of origin, the Orda.kz website reported, citing an energy analyst. 


Polish tax authorities confirmed to the Interia.pl website that “until the verification is concluded, the tanks will remain at the control points.” 


A spokesperson for the tax office in the eastern Polish city of Lublin told Interia.pl that “if necessary, samples will be taken for laboratory testing” in order to certify the cargo’s composition and compliance with EU rules. 


The heightened Polish scrutiny stems from an EU ban on imports of Russian LPG that came into force in December. Shipments entering Poland from countries bordering Russia are now subject to intensified inspections, Orda.kz reported. 


“EU customs authorities are seriously concerned that Russian LPG will be re-exported under the guise of Kazakh LPG,” sector analyst Oleg Chervinsky posted on the Telegram app, as reported by Orda.kz. 


He added that Kazakhstan’s embassy in Brussels was holding talks with EU officials responsible for sanctions, "but so far without success.” 


Chervinsky’s Telegram post also claimed similar situations have been occurring since before the new year and have caused a shortage of rail gas tank cars, which he believes may impact Tengizchevroil’s operations. 

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