The construction of the disputed Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany may immediately resume in German waters. The German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has approved this. The previous permit expired at the end of May.
The pipeline is already largely ready, but there is still a lot of static left. The work on the Danish island of Bornholm even stopped for about a year after the Swiss owner of two construction vessels had laid down the work under American pressure. Some construction work has recently been resumed.
The United States is opposed to the pipeline because it ‘would give Moscow greater influence in Western Europ’e. Washington is also constantly threatening to impose sanctions on companies involved in construction. Nord Stream 2 involves many companies, including oil and gas group Shell.
Some countries such as Poland and Ukraine are also strongly opposed to the project. On the contrary, the German government claims that the gas pipeline provides a direct and secure supply of energy. Nord Stream 2 is intended to double Russia’s gas supply capacity to Germany. The BSH decision can still be appealed against, for example by environmental groups.
