Danish Shipyard Keeps Servicing Russian Gas Tankers Despite Prime Minister’s Pleas

Danish Repairs for Russian Tankers

According to Главком: Despite calls from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to stop, the Fayard shipyard in Denmark continues to maintain Russian Arc7-class gas tankers. These vessels are used to transport liquefied natural gas from the Yamal project in Siberia. Fayard is the only shipyard within the European Union that offers technical servicing for this specific class of tanker.

According to research from Urgewald, six out of 15 Arc7-class tankers are scheduled for repairs at the Danish facility this summer. Last year, Fayard serviced five tankers operating under the Yamal project. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 15 Arc7-class vessels have visited the Danish shipyard. Frederiksen has described the situation as

“completely incomprehensible”

and stated that

“the shipyard simply must stop this.”

Upcoming Ban on Maintenance Services

A ban on servicing sanctioned Russian vessels will take effect in the European Union in 2027. In light of this, European companies have already begun winding down their cooperation with the Russian fleet. For instance, Dutch firm Damen announced in August last year that it would end its work with Russian ships. Since the start of the full-scale war, Damen serviced eight Arc7-class vessels and is now under criminal investigation for suspected violations of EU sanctions.

The UK government has also prohibited the provision of maritime services to ships operating in the Russian market. As part of these measures, French naval forces in the Atlantic Ocean intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker Tagor, which was traveling from Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that

“ships that help circumvent sanctions against Russia are effectively contributing to the financing of the war against Ukraine.”

The ongoing repair of Russian tankers in Denmark highlights the complexity of international obligations and sanctions imposed on Russia due to its aggression in Ukraine. Despite appeals from European governments, Fayard continues to fulfill its contracts, raising concerns among politicians and experts. A key development to watch is the 2027 EU ban on servicing sanctioned vessels, which could reshape the maritime maintenance market.

As the European Union prepares to implement a ban on servicing sanctioned Russian vessels by 2027, the issue of maritime operations remains critical. Similar to the ongoing challenges faced by UK authorities regarding Russian shipping, the situation highlights the complexities of enforcing sanctions. For a deeper understanding of how these dynamics play out in UK waters, read more about the challenges facing maritime regulations in the article on Russia's shadow fleet.