Certification company DNV GL has stopped serving the Nord Stream 2 project due to the threat of US sanctions.
“The US State Department has published a new clarification regarding the Europe Energy Security Protection Act (PEESA). In line with these new guidelines, we find that DNV GL's activities to monitor vessels with equipment serving the Nord Stream 2 project are subject to sanctions. Therefore DNV GL has terminated the provision of services that may be subject to PEESA. DNV GL implements a robust program of compliance of our activities with all applicable regulations and laws, including sanctions, "- DNV GL told Interfax.
DNV GL was to issue a certificate of conformity upon satisfactory completion of the pipeline.
The position of the Danish Energy Agency is that Nord Stream 2 can hire any third party who can provide a certificate of conformity, confirming that the constructed facilities comply with applicable laws.
DNV GL is an international certification and classification society, the core competence of which is risk assessment, consulting and management. Created in 2013 as a result of the merger of two organizations - Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd.
Construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was halted almost a year ago after the United States introduced sanctions against ships laying pipes at sea in its military budget law. After the imposition of sanctions, the Swiss contractor Allseas curtailed work on the project. Gazprom promised to complete the project, which at that time was almost 94% complete.
The draft of the new US defense budget includes additional sanctions against Nord Stream 2. New sanctions are also directed against ship insurers and service companies performing geodetic, trenching, welding and other works. The sanctions also apply to companies that test and certify a project, without which it cannot be put into operation.
