The Danish shipyard did not hear the European Parliament on LNG tankers from Russia: Read the rules

Fayard shipyard fights off political pressure and continues to carry out maintenance of gas carriers that transport Russian LNG of the Yamal LNG project. The European Parliament even wrote a letter to Denmark, but the head of the shipyard advised the deputies to read the EU rules.

"Last week, political criticism of Fayard reached a new level: Danish MEP Willy Sevndal sent an open letter to the shipyard," writes The Maritime Executive.

The letter was addressed to Fayard CEO Thomas Andersen and the document was signed by 104 MEPs from 16 European countries.

"The Danish maritime infrastructure should not be used to extend the life of ships that provide income from Russian fossil fuels," the letter says.

According to The Maritime Executive, the letter was sent a few days after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized Fayard for its role in the Russian LNG trade.

Fayard did not delay with the answer and immediately stated that the shipyard's work complies with current EU rules. Moreover, Fayard told the EU Observer that between EU and Russia maintains a significant volume of trade in goods that are still in demand by European countries.

"Fayard does not serve Russian vessels. We service vessels owned by international shipping companies that operate between the terminal on Yamal and European ports in full compliance with all rules and recommendations. We comply with EU decisions, and, accordingly, these orders will be terminated at the end of this year," Fayard said.

Indeed, there is no longer a single gas carrier on the Yamal LNG project that would belong to Russian companies. There was "Christophe de Margerie", however, he left the project after he came under sanctions, and now works at the Arctic LNG—2 sanctioned facility.

Since navigation on the Northern Sea Route begins in the summer and ordinary tankers can also enter Yamal LNG, ice-class Arc7 gas carriers undergo maintenance in turn.

"Already on June 30, one of the Arc7 vessels, Rudolf Samoilovich, arrived at the Fayard shipyard. Environmental group Urgewald expects that up to six Arc7 vessels may need to be serviced at the Fayard shipyard this summer. Last year, this shipyard became the only one in the EU serving these Russian tankers," writes The Maritime Executive.

The pressure of the European Parliament and the Danish authorities may surprise, as this year Yamal LNG is in demand in Europe as never before. Urgewald's analysis shows that out of 140 batches of Yamal LNG shipped in the first half of the year, 136 were delivered to EU ports.