Denmark's Fayard Shipyard Receives Third Russian LNG Tanker

Denmark’s Fayard Shipyard Receives Third Russian LNG Tanker

The Fayard shipyard in Odense, Denmark is preparing to receive another Russian-linked LNG tanker this summer, according to reports. The Boris Davydov vessel will become the third vessel to undergo maintenance work at the facility this summer, as the shipyard continues to serve Russia’s LNG export industry despite mounting pressure from Brussels.

Only European Yard Still Servicing Russian Tankers

Fayard remains the only European shipyard still providing servicing to Russia’s LNG fleet. France’s Damen Shiprepair Brest halted maintenance work on Russian-linked vessels in August 2025. The Danish facility has faced heavy criticism for its continued operations, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the arrangement “inconceivable.”

A Loophole Keeps Tankers Moving

The vessels sail under foreign flags and are not owned, managed, or certified by Russian entities. This legal distinction has allowed them to continue receiving service at European yards. The Boris Davydov, for instance, operates under Cypriot registration.

Since its last service at Fayard in September 2023, the tanker has delivered at least 50 cargoes of super-chilled fuel from the Yamal facility, worth approximately $2.2 billion, according to German NGO Urgewald. The Yamal plant, located in Sabetta on the Yamal Peninsula, boasts annual production capacity of 17.4 million tonnes and accounts for more than 60% of Russia’s LNG exports.

EU sanctions packages have outlawed short-term LNG contracts with Russia since late April. A full ban on Russian LNG imports takes effect January 1, while restrictions on pipeline gas follow in September 2027.

Imports Reach Record Levels

Despite the restrictions, European imports from Yamal LNG climbed to a record high in the first half of 2026. Countries in the bloc received 136 cargoes containing 9.97 million tonnes of super-cooled gas between January and June, a 16% increase year on year, according to data from commodities intelligence group Kpler. More than 97% of those deliveries went to EU ports.

The situation mirrors patterns seen in oil markets, where previous rounds of sanctions produced mixed results. The EU’s disjointed approach has repeatedly granted exceptions to member states, undermining the stated goal of strangling Moscow’s energy revenue.