© Gazprom PJSC
Before the ban on such services takes effect in 2027, the company plans to refurbish several more ships, which has reignited the debate over the effectiveness of European sanctions, Politico notes.
The Last “Window of Opportunity” Before the Ban
According to Politico, the gas carrier Rudolf Samoylovich has already arrived at the Fayard shipyard—the first of several Arc7 ice-class vessels that can undergo scheduled maintenance before the new EU restrictions take effect. The environmental organization Urgewald estimates that up to six such vessels could be repaired at the facility this summer.
Arc7-class gas carriers are a key element of the Yamal LNG project’s logistics. Thanks to their reinforced ice-class hulls, they are capable of operating year-round on the Northern Sea Route, ensuring the export of Russian liquefied natural gas to global markets.
Until recently, other European shipyards also provided such services, but most of them ceased cooperation after the EU tightened its sanctions policy, the publication notes.
Sanctions Are Not Yet in Effect
Formally, Fayard’s activities do not violate current European legislation. The ban on providing ship repair and other maritime services to specialized LNG tankers associated with Russian projects will not take effect until January 2027. Until then, the company is entitled to carry out previously authorized work.
Fayard itself emphasizes that the services are provided in accordance with current EU regulations and are necessary to ensure the safety of shipping.
At the same time, Ukrainian authorities and a number of civil society organizations believe that such practices effectively help Russia maintain its export infrastructure and foreign currency revenues from the sale of liquefied natural gas.
The situation surrounding the Danish shipyard illustrates the challenges of implementing the EU’s sanctions policy in practice. Despite the consistent tightening of restrictions against the Russian energy sector, there is often a lengthy transition period between the adoption of decisions and their entry into force, which companies can use to fulfill existing contracts.
For Russia, the timely maintenance of the Arc7 fleet is of strategic importance. These vessels remain virtually irreplaceable for the year-round operation of the Yamal LNG project, which is one of the largest sources of export revenue for the Russian gas industry.
For the European Union, in turn, the situation has served as yet another reminder of how difficult it is to completely sever the technological and logistical ties that have developed over years of energy cooperation.
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