War-induced energy insecurity in Europe: what role for liquefied natural gas after the Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

This article examines the energy insecurity in Europe caused by the Russia–Ukraine war and the European Union’s deliberate effort to reduce reliance on Russian pipeline gas, termed a "conscious uncoupling." It focuses on the role of floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs)—vessels that store liquefied natural gas (LNG) and convert it back to gas for pipeline distribution—as a rapid solution to diversify gas supplies, highlighting experiences in Finland, Germany, and Croatia. The article details how Finland and Germany, heavily dependent on Russian gas and lacking LNG infrastructure at the war’s outset, have turned to FSRUs to enhance energy security, while Croatia’s Krk LNG terminal serves as a regional energy hub for the Balkans. It also discusses the legal and regulatory challenges posed by the deployment of FSRUs, which straddle maritime and industrial facility regulations, emphasizing the need for updated frameworks to manage their hazardous nature.