Source: Samsung Heavy Industries Europe is starting 2026 with a growing energy vulnerability. Natural gas storage levels across the EU have slipped below 60%, with Gazprom data showing inventories at just 58.1% as of January 6. Germany—the region’s largest gas consumer—is in an even tighter position at 54.1%, well below last year’s levels. The drawdown has been swift. EU storage is 10.7 bcm lower than January 2025, driven by a powerful Arctic outbreak now gripping the contine