Key facts
- Danish shipyard Fayard is preparing to service a third Russia-linked LNG tanker, the Boris Davydov.
- The tanker is part of a specialized fleet for Russia's Yamal LNG project.
- The NGO Urgewald highlighted that the ship has carried significant amounts of Russian LNG since its last service.
- Fayard is the last EU shipyard servicing these Russian-linked LNG carriers.
- The shipyard is scheduled to represent Denmark at the SMM Hamburg maritime trade fair.
Denmark's Fayard shipyard is set to receive a third Russia-linked liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the Boris Davydov, this summer, according to the NGO Urgewald. The tanker, sailing under the Cypriot flag, anchored near Fayard on August 27. Urgewald noted that the ship is part of a specialized fleet of Arc7 LNG icebreaking carriers that ship gas for Russia's Yamal LNG venture, which accounts for over 60% of Russia's total LNG exports. The NGO stated that the Boris Davydov has carried 50 cargoes of Russian Yamal LNG, valued at approximately 1.9 billion euros, since its last service at Fayard in September 2023. Fayard remains the only European Union shipyard still servicing this fleet, drawing criticism from Ukraine, European lawmakers, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The shipyard is also scheduled to represent Denmark at the SMM Hamburg maritime trade fair from September 1 to 4, under a pavilion organized by Danish Export — Marine with support from the Danish Foreign Ministry. This situation has led to accusations that Denmark is "speaking with two voices," as the Prime Minister has previously called the servicing of these tankers "incomprehensible" and urged Fayard to cease operations. While servicing the tankers is not currently illegal, the EU plans to ban Russian LNG imports in January 2027. Ukrainian advocacy groups have expressed distress that a shipyard contributing to Russia's energy revenue, which funds its war efforts, is being showcased under Denmark's national flag.