Kazakhstan reaches agreement with EC on coal supplies to Europe via Russian ports

ASTANA. July 29 (Interfax) - The European Union has exempted transactions involving certain Russian ports for the transit of Kazakh coal from the ban under its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, the press service of the Kazakh Trade and Integration ministry said.

In February 2025, as part of the 16th sanctions package, the EU imposed a ban on any transactions with a number of Russian ports, which threatened the stability of Kazakh coal exports to Europe, the press service said. In particular, the Trade Ministry said that the port of Ust-Luga has historically been used as a key transit point for Kazakh coal to Europe.

To resolve the situation, the Kazakh side sent an official request to the European Commission to introduce corresponding amendments to the EU sanctions regime.

"Following negotiations, the European side introduced amendments as part of the 18th sanctions package, providing for the exemption of transactions with certain Russian ports from the ban for the transit of Kazakh coal," it said.

According to the ministry, the exemption from the sanctions list will apply under the following conditions: the coal must be of exclusively Kazakh origin; ownership of the cargo must belong to non-residents of countries subject to restrictive measures, and the ports may only be used as transit, loading, or shipment points, without purchasing or producing goods on their territory.

In 2022, Kazakhstan's coal exports to the EU amounted to 4.4 million tonnes worth $419.2 million (45% of total coal exports), in 2023 - 6.1 million tonnes worth $382 million (54.3%), and in 2024 - 5.2 million tonnes worth $312.5 million (51.8%). In January-May 2025, Kazakhstan supplied 1.6 million tonnes of coal to the EU worth $82.9 million, or 38.5% of its total coal exports.

"Despite a temporary decline in figures, the measures taken allow for the expectation of restoring Kazakh coal supplies to the EU, as well as strengthening the resilience of logistics routes," the Trade Ministry said.

The ministry will continue working to protect the country's trade interests, support national exports, and further develop economic ties with key partners, it said.