The cars arrived in Belgium by sea from Asia in early April, meaning Japanese and American automakers loaded containers before the sanctions were imposed. However, the export of luxury goods to Russia has been banned since mid-March, so the Belgian customs blocked a batch of premium cars totaling 8,000 units.
According to the head of the car terminal at the port of Zeebrugge, Marc Adriaensen, the sanctions restrict the export of vehicles worth more than 50,000 euros to Russia, and they will not reach their destination.
"Other prohibited goods are in containers. Their unloading is also suspended. 1,100 containers are blocked for the same reasons. But as long as oil and gas, especially LNG, are not affected by restrictions, Zeebrugge is working well. The oil and gas flow is one of the main flows coming from Russia to Zeebrugge. If it is stopped, it will have a big impact on our port."
The cessation of Russian oil exports could be part of the next EU sanctions package. But the idea of banning gas purchases has met with strong resistance, primarily from Germany and Hungary, writes Euronews.
