EU Shipyards Repair Russian LNG Tankers, Enabling Arctic Gas Transport Despite Sanctions

Russian Arc7-class LNG  tankers are undergoing repairs and dry docking at shipyards in the European Union, allowing Russia to maintain its Arctic gas transport operations despite international sanctions, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The publication highlights that without maintenance provided by European shipyards such as Damen in Brest (France) and Fayard A/S (Denmark), Russia's Yamal LNG plant would face challenges reaching key markets during winter, a peak demand season for natural gas in the northern hemisphere.

Citing satellite imagery and port call data from analytics firm Kpler, the report states that 14 out of 15 specialized Arc7 tankers used by Yamal LNG have received services at these two facilities, with some vessels returning multiple times.

Arctic shipping expert Malte Humpert from High North News told the publication that a refusal of service by these shipyards would "seriously disrupt Russian logistical operations." While alternative servicing options exist, they would require significant route deviations, he explained.

Since the start of the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, eight tankers were serviced at Damen and nine at Fayard, according to the report. Damen confirmed that it had repaired several vessels involved in Russian LNG transport but emphasized strict compliance with EU sanctions and stated it does not influence cargo decisions made by shipping companies. Fayard declined to comment.

The report also notes that the Christophe de Margerie, the only Russian tanker of this class excluded from EU-based servicing due to sanctions on its operator Sovcomflot, was taken out of operation for six months. This, experts say, underscores the Arc7 fleet’s reliance on European engineering and parts.

While EU sanctions target Russian crude oil and coal, natural gas remains exempt due to supply security concerns. However, the EU has taken initial steps to limit Russian LNG imports, including a ban on transshipping Russian LNG at EU ports starting in March 2025. This measure is expected to disrupt the practice of transferring LNG from ice-class tankers to less expensive conventional vessels for onward delivery.

According to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES), Yamal LNG exported 20.9 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe in 2023, with about a quarter of it re-exported beyond the EU. Yamal LNG supplies account for approximately 85–90% of Russia’s LNG imports into the EU, as noted by Bond Beter Leefmilieu, an environmental think tank.

Previously, it was reported that nearly 500,000 metric tons of Russian oil products are stranded on tankers affected by US recent sanctions, according to Reuters, citing LSEG data released.