Key facts
- Protesters rallied in Copenhagen on Oct. 1, 2026, against Danish shipyard Fayard servicing Russian LNG tankers.
- Fayard is the last known EU shipyard servicing specialized Arc7 tankers for Russian Arctic LNG exports.
- Critics argue Fayard's service contradicts Denmark's support for Ukraine and poses a security risk.
- The shipyard has serviced four Russian-linked LNG tankers since late June.
- An EU-wide ban on Russian LNG imports takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
- The EU granted an exemption to Greek shipping company Dynagas to transport Russian LNG to third countries after 2027.
Protesters gathered in Copenhagen on October 1, 2026, to demonstrate against the Danish shipyard Fayard's continued servicing of specialized Arc7 tankers used for transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). Fayard is reportedly the last known European Union shipyard still maintaining this fleet, which is crucial for exporting LNG from Russia's Arctic region.
Jens Alstrup, chairman of the NGO Freedom for Ukraine, stated that Fayard's service of the LNG fleet "is a blemish on Danish support for Ukraine" and vowed continued pressure on the shipyard to cease operations. Fayard has faced scrutiny from non-governmental organizations, European lawmakers, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, with critics asserting that aiding Russian energy trade undermines Denmark's commitment to Ukraine.
According to the sanctions-monitoring NGO Urgewald, Fayard has serviced four Russian-linked LNG tankers since late June, with the most recent, Nikolay Yevgenov, undergoing service on September 24, 2026. While an EU-wide ban on Russian LNG imports is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and countries are reducing their reliance on Moscow, the bloc has granted an exemption to Greek shipping company Dynagas. This exemption will permit Dynagas to continue transporting Russian LNG to third countries even after the 2027 deadline.
The EU has also repeatedly failed to agree on a comprehensive maritime services ban that would legally prohibit Fayard from maintaining Russian vessels, opting instead for a G7 agreement. Alexander Kirk, a protest organizer and sanctions campaigner at Urgewald, highlighted a "glaring security contradiction," noting that while Denmark faces a growing security threat from Russia, Fayard continues to repair tankers vital for Russian Arctic LNG movement, alongside servicing Danish naval vessels.