TOKYO, June 3 (Reuters) - Proposed new European

sanctions targeting transhipments of Russian liquefied natural

gas (LNG) are unlikely to impact Asian buyers, Kadri Simson,

European Commissioner for Energy, told reporters in Tokyo on

Monday.

As part of a 14th package of sanctions on Russia over its

war on Ukraine, the European Union proposed to ban re-loading

services by EU facilities for trans-shipment of Russian LNG to

third countries. This does not affect imports into the EU.

The EU would also ban new investments and the provisions of

goods, technology and services by EU operators for the

completion of LNG projects under construction such as Arctic LNG

and Murmansk LNG.

"This will not impose problems for Asian consumers: LNG

market now is a liquid market and it is possible to replace

volumes even if Russia will not find alternative transport

means," Simson said.

Countries including Belgium, Germany and France have asked

the commission for assessments on whether the ban may hit the

Russian economy more than the EU's, according to diplomats.

Simson said that the commission has provided its member

states with 'all the necessary data' that the proposal will not

impact global markets significantly.

"It only means that Russia has to use alternative vessels to

serve their third country customers that will be more expensive

for Russia but otherwise it doesn't withdraw volumes away from

global markets," she added.

Diplomats said they are racing to iron out the 14th package

of sanctions before Hungary takes over the EU presidency in

July. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains ties

with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has previously tried to

block aid to Ukraine and restrictions on Moscow.

"I have no doubt that Hungary is thinking along very

constructively especially because Hungary is a landlocked

country and its own economy will not be impacted any way no way

by transhipment decisions," Simson said.