Denmark’s Fayard Shipyard Faces EU Pressure to Halt Russian Arctic LNG Services

More than 100 members of the European Parliament and national legislatures signed an appeal urging Denmark’s Fayard shipyard to stop servicing specialised Arc7 LNG carriers that transport Russian Arctic gas for the Yamal project. Fayard is currently the only European yard able to maintain these ice‑strengthened vessels after Damen Shiprepair Brest ceased work in 2024. Critics argue that maintenance scheduled for 2026 could extend the fleet’s operational life to 2029, undermining EU sanctions that will ban imports of Russian LNG from 1 January 2027.

Ukrainian sanctions adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk said, “every Arc7 tanker serviced in Denmark helps preserve one of the Kremlin’s most strategically important energy projects.” Danish MEP Villy Søvndal added that the work exploits “a final loophole for short‑term profit.” The appeal calls for Denmark’s strong political support for Ukraine to be reflected in the private sector. A Danish‑language statement from the same shipyard blames politicians for allowing the ships to be serviced on Funen.

EU maritime‑service rules prohibiting such work in Russian LNG vessels will take effect on 1 January 2027, coinciding with a phased EU ban on Russian LNG imports.