101 European lawmakers urge Danish shipyard to cut its ties with Russia’s Arctic LNG fleet

July 17, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic

A cross-party coalition from 16 countries across Europe has called on the last shipyard in the European Union (EU) still servicing the specialized ice-class Arc7 tankers that are perceived to be vital to transporting Russia’s Arctic liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to end its maintenance of these vessels, according to Urgewald, Germany’s non-profit environmental research organization (NGO).

Novatek changes its management board composition — Yamal LNG; Courtesy of Novatek

Urgewald has revealed that a cross-party coalition of 101 parliamentarians from 16 countries, led by Danish MEP Villy Søvndal, signed a letter calling on Denmark’s Fayard shipyard and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomas Andersen, to accept no further Arc7 tankers keeping Russian Arctic LNG exports moving and publicly rule out further work in 2026.

In their letter to Fayard’s CEO, the parliamentarians underlined: “We therefore urge Fayard to refuse all further repair and maintenance work on Arc7 LNG tankers and other vessels serving Russian Arctic LNG exports, and to publicly confirm that no such further vessels will be accepted in 2026. This is not only a commercial matter. It is a question of Europe’s security, Denmark’s credibility and solidarity with Ukraine.”

The signatories span six European Parliament political groups and national parties across the political spectrum, including three Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament—Christel Schaldemose, Roberts Zīle and Nicolae Ștefănuță—as well as former Finnish Interior and Environment Minister Maria Ohisalo, parliamentary group leaders, and members of foreign affairs committees.

Villy Søvndal MEP, Member of the Greens/European Free Alliance Group and lead Coordinator of the letter, said: “If Europe truly wants to hurt Russia’s LNG business with the embargo starting in 2027, the Arc7 fleet is the crucial link in the logistics chain. Fayard should not play into Russia’s hands here and prepare the ships for a business that Europe actually intends to weaken.”

The open letter, signed by 51 MEPs and 50 members of national and devolved parliaments, warns that maintenance undertaken now could keep Russia’s specialized Arctic LNG fleet operating for years and weaken the impact of forthcoming EU restrictions.

Roberts Zīle MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament and member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, stated: “We must remain vigilant and close loopholes to ensure sanctions remain effective. By continually adapting our sanctions, we demonstrate that Russia will face lasting consequences for its war of aggression against Ukraine.”

The members of parliament are criticizing the fact that Fayard’s maintenance work in the summer of 2026 will make the ships ready for the coming years, even though an EU embargo on Russian LNG will take effect on January 1, 2027.

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Rihards Kols MEP, Member of the European Parliament and the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, noted: “Denmark has stood with Kyiv when it mattered. One shipyard should not be allowed to undercut that proud record and reputation for the sake of a maintenance contract. Fayard should stop servicing these vessels now, rather than waiting for someone else to make the decision for it.”

This letter follows the arrival of the Rudolf Samoylovich at Fayard on June 30, 2026, which is the first of up to six Arc7 tankers identified by human rights and environmental NGO Urgewald as potentially requiring maintenance this summer, before incoming EU restrictions fully take effect.

Małgorzata Tracz MP, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, highlighted: “This is no longer just a commercial matter. European maritime infrastructure must not be used to sustain a war of aggression. We must cut off every avenue that allows Russia to finance its attack on Europe’s future.

“These specialised Arc7 vessels are the lifeline of Russia’s Arctic LNG exports. Allowing them to be serviced in European shipyards prolongs their operational lives and ensures that Russian fossil fuel revenues continue flowing to fund the war machine. This must end.”

The research conducted by Urgewald, B4Ukraine, and Razom We Stand identifies Fayard as the last shipyard in the EU still servicing the specialised Arc7 fleet, after Damen Shiprepair Brest stopped accepting the vessels following August 2024.

Ever since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, each of the six vessels identified as potentially requiring maintenance this summer has transported an average of 5.3 million tonnes of Russian LNG, representing around €4 billion in cargo value per vessel.

Oras Tynkkynen MP, Member of the Parliament of Finland and Co-Chair of the Ukraine Friendship Group, underscored: “Companies cannot hide behind the backs of politicians. What is clearly immoral cannot continue, even if it is still legal.

“Fayard and its owners need to bear their moral responsibility and stop servicing tankers with ties to Russian fuel exports. History will not judge kindly those who continue to profit from financing death and destruction in Ukraine.”

Given that the EU’s 20th sanctions package prohibits the provision of maintenance and other services to LNG tankers operating in Russia from 2027 onwards, the letter warns that servicing vessels before these measures fully take effect risks handing the Arc7 LNG fleet a final European repair window.

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Fayard has already faced high-level criticism over its role, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it “inconceivable” that a Danish shipyard should service vessels carrying Russian gas. The shipyard previously said its work complied with EU rules and supported maritime safety.

Urgewald reminds that Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Sanctions Adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has described the shipyard as a critical link in Russia’s logistics chain and called for an end to servicing at European ports.

Jonas Sjöstedt MEP, Member of the European Parliament, The Left Group in the European Parliament, outlined: “These Arc7 tankers are a vital part of one of Russia’s most lucrative businesses, directly helping to finance the illegal war against Ukraine.

“Without maintenance and repairs, Russia’s ability to export LNG would be significantly weakened. Every loophole left open and every service provided to these vessels make our sanctions weaker and give Russia more room to continue financing its war.”