Over 70 activists from 17 countries, including Greece, blocked the Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium for nearly 30 hours in a protest against Europe’s reliance on imported natural gas from the U.S. and Russia. The demonstration, organized by Greenpeace Belgium, involved the ship Witness, 44 kayaks, and a 10-meter inflatable installation depicting Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on a gas tanker.
During the protest, the LNG tanker Arctic Voyager reversed course due to the blockade, and another tanker reportedly changed its route as well. The activists were arrested on Thursday evening but released early Friday, while the Witness vessel was seized and docked at Zeebrugge.
Greenpeace called on EU leaders to gradually phase out fossil gas, halt new U.S. LNG supply contracts, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The Zeebrugge terminal is Europe’s largest entry point for Russian LNG, while imports from the U.S. continue to rise.
The action coincides with EU discussions over the 19th sanctions package on Russia, including proposals to ban Russian LNG imports from January 2027. Greenpeace highlighted the profits earned by Russia’s Yamal LNG from 2022–2024—approximately $40 billion—with $9.5 billion in taxes potentially funding military drones used in the Ukraine conflict. European companies like TotalEnergies, SEFE, and Naturgy contributed significantly to these revenues.
Kostas Kaloudis, head of Greenpeace Greece’s climate and energy campaign, criticized the Greek government’s plan to expand U.S. LNG imports, arguing it ignores the long-term need for a sustainable and fair energy transition.
The activists’ message was clear: “Stop fossil gas,” urging Europe to cut its dependence on both Russian and U.S. LNG and embrace renewable energy solutions.
