Reuters on Thursday reported that the European Commission has proposed a ban, beginning in June, all shipping, brokerage, insurance and financing services offered by EU companies for the maritime transport of Russian crude worldwide.
Reuters cited an unnamed EU official as the source, quoting the latter as saying that shipping and vessel services ban would apply to global Russian exports of oil.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, proposed that EU member-states phase out Russian crude imports within six months, and refined products by the end of the year.
The EU oil ban would require all 27 members to agree, although Hungary and Slovakia have voiced strong objections, with other media reports saying Bulgaria and the Czech Republic want a later date of implementation for them.
According to reports from Athens, Greece, which fields the biggest fleet among EU countries, along with Malta and Cyprus, have also reacted to any ban involving ocean-going shipping.
