Danish Shipyard Defies European Parliament’s Pressure on LNG Tankers from Russia
Fayard shipyard has refused to comply with the European Parliament‘s demands to stop servicing gas carriers that transport Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) of the Yamal LNG project. The parliament had written a letter to Denmark, urging the country to cease supporting the Russian energy sector. However, Fayard’s CEO Thomas Andersen advised the deputies to read the EU rules, emphasizing that the shipyard’s work is in compliance with current regulations.
The European Parliament‘s letter was signed by 104 MEPs from 16 European countries and criticized Fayard for its role in the Russian LNG trade. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had also criticized Fayard a few days prior to the parliament’s letter, prompting the shipyard to respond promptly. In a statement, Fayard emphasized that it services vessels owned by international shipping companies operating between the terminal on Yamal and European ports, fully complying with all rules and recommendations.
EU Rules Allow for Continued Service of Russian LNG Tankers
Fayard’s response highlights the importance of understanding EU regulations in this context. The shipyard maintains that it complies with EU decisions and will terminate orders at the end of the year. This stance is supported by the fact that there are no longer any gas carriers on the Yamal LNG project that belong to Russian companies, except for one vessel, Christophe de Margerie, which left the project after coming under sanctions.
The maintenance of ice-class Arc7 gas carriers at Fayard’s shipyard is a critical aspect of this story. These vessels undergo maintenance in turn, with one such vessel, Rudolf Samoilovich, already having arrived at the shipyard on June 30. Environmental group Urgewald expects that up to six Arc7 vessels may need to be serviced at Fayard this summer, as ordinary tankers can also enter Yamal LNG.
Growing Demand for Russian LNG in Europe
The pressure from the European Parliament and Danish authorities may seem surprising given the growing demand for Russian LNG in Europe. According to Urgewald’s analysis, out of 140 batches of Yamal LNG shipped in the first half of the year, 136 were delivered to EU ports. This trend is expected to continue, with Yamal LNG experiencing unprecedented demand this year.
In conclusion, Fayard shipyard has refused to comply with European Parliament pressure to stop servicing gas carriers that transport Russian LNG. The shipyard’s response emphasizes its compliance with EU rules and regulations, highlighting the importance of understanding these regulations in this context. As the demand for Russian LNG continues to grow in Europe, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
Original Article: The Danish shipyard did not hear the European Parliament on LNG tankers from Russia: Read the rules — EADaily, July 20th, 2026 — Politics, Russia — Eadaily