August 27, 2026
TOPLINES:
- The Dynagas-owned Boris Davydov, which transports LNG from Russia’s Yamal project, is anchored off the coast, waiting to enter the Fayard shipyard in the next few hours. It is becoming the third specialised Arc7 LNG tanker to enter the Danish shipyard this summer.
- Since its previous Fayard maintenance period ended in September 2023, the vessel has carried 3.65 million tonnes of Russian LNG across 50 cargoes, all loaded at Yamal, with an indicative gross market value of €1.91 billion. Its latest completed cargo carried 73,410 tonnes from Yamal to Dunkirk.
- Days later, Fayard is due to participate in the Pavilion of Denmark at SMM Hamburg. The pavilion is co-financed by Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Trade Council, despite criticism of Fayard’s servicing of Arc7 tankers from the Danish prime minister, Ukraine’s sanctions chief and 105 parliamentarians from 17 countries.
The Boris Davydov carried 50 Russian LNG cargoes worth an estimated €1.9bn
The Russia-linked LNG tanker Boris Davydov is about to arrive at the Fayard shipyard in Denmark for expected maintenance. It will become the third Arc7 LNG vessel to do so this summer.
New Urgewald analysis of Kpler cargo data shows that the vessel has carried 3,653,256 tonnes of Russian LNG across 50 cargoes since its previous maintenance period at Fayard, which ran from 8 August to 4 September 2023. Applying monthly TTF benchmark prices gives these cargoes an indicative gross market value of €1.91 billion.
On its latest completed voyage, the Boris Davydov loaded 73,410 tonnes of LNG at Russia’s Yamal project on 16 August and delivered the cargo to Dunkirk, France, on 22 August.
Its expected arrival follows the Rudolf Samoylovich, which entered Fayard on 30 June, and the Georgiy Brusilov, which arrived on 23 July.
The vessels are part of the small, specialised Arc7 fleet that transports liquefied natural gas through Arctic ice from Russia’s Yamal LNG project, one of Putin’s flagship energy projects. Fayard is the last shipyard in the European Union known to continue servicing the fleet.
Sebastian Rötters, Sanctions Campaigner and Energy Expert at Urgewald, said:
“Since its last maintenance at Fayard — which took place more than a year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — the Boris Davydov has carried 50 cargoes of Russian LNG worth an estimated €1.9 billion.”
“Servicing it again could help keep this trade running for years, including after the EU’s new restrictions take effect — effectively helping Russia circumvent the intended impact of the EU’s sanctions.”
Campaigners ask Danish Foreign Ministry to review Fayard’s participation in state-backed pavilion
The latest vessel comes shortly before Fayard is due to represent Denmark at the Pavilion of Denmark during the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg from 1 to 4 September. Fayard has announced that it will exhibit at stand B1.EG.217. Their announcement displays the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark's crest.
The Pavilion of Denmark is organised by Danish Export – Marine and co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark through the Trade Council.
Campaigners questioned how allowing Fayard to represent Denmark on an internationally promoted, state-backed platform could be reconciled with the government’s stated support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said Fayard must stop work that could contribute to Russia’s war.
In July, an open letter signed by 105 parliamentarians from 17 countries called on Fayard to refuse all further maintenance work on the Arc7 fleet. Ukraine’s sanctions chief, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, has also said that Fayard is helping sustain Russia’s Arctic LNG exports, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Alexander Kirk, Sanctions Campaigner at Urgewald, said:
“The Danish Government cannot condemn Fayard’s actions on one day and promote it under the Danish flag the next. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should review Fayard’s place in the pavilion, if the shipyard doesn’t stop servicing the Arc7 fleet.”
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director, Razom We Stand, said:
"As a Ukrainian, it's very difficult to hear that a shipyard that is prolonging the life of Russia's Arctic LNG fleet gets showcased under Denmark's own flag at a state-backed pavilion. Every tanker Fayard repairs helps keep billions of euros in Kremlin gas revenue flowing — revenue that funds the missiles and drones targeted at Ukrainians, resulting in the deaths of our loved ones every day.”
Nezir Sinani, Executive Director of the B4Ukraine Coalition, said:
“The gravity of the situation must not be underestimated. Today, the Danish shipyard Fayard is servicing vessels that generate billions for Moscow. Tomorrow, those billions could be used to fund an armed or hybrid attack against Denmark itself.
“It is a scandal that one Danish family — the Andersen family, owners of Fayard — apparently does not share the democratic values of the rest of Danish society, while its commercial interests risk undermining the strategic security interests of the Danish people and Europe as a whole.”
Fayard argues that the work remains legal under current EU rules and that the vessels are owned by international shipping companies. Campaigners stress that legality cannot be the only criterion and argue that servicing the ships undermines the purpose of the EU restrictions.
The EU prohibition on maintenance and other services for tankers transporting Russian LNG is due to take effect on 1 January 2027. By maintaining Arc7 tankers in the summer of 2026, Fayard keeps them operational for years, including after the restrictions enter into force.
Notes to editors
· The Boris Davydov is on its way to Fayard, based on vessel-signalling data, and is expected to become the third Arc7 tanker to enter the shipyard during summer 2026, following the Rudolf Samoylovich and Georgiy Brusilov.
· Cargo data and valuation: Kpler data shows that since its previous Fayard maintenance ended on 4 September 2023, Boris Davydov has completed 50 Yamal LNG cargoes totalling 3,653,256 tonnes. Applying monthly Dutch TTF prices and 13.7 MWh per tonne gives an indicative gross market value of €1,907,749,474. This is not Dynagas revenue, profit or a precise estimate of payments to the Russian state. The calculation is available to journalists on request.
· Ownership and terminology: Boris Davydov, IMO 9768394, is owned by Dynagas (Greece).and is not Russian-owned. Urgewald describes it as Russia-linked because it exclusively serves Russia’s Yamal LNG project..
· Arc7 fleet: These specialised ice-class carriers enable year-round exports from Yamal LNG. Fayard is the last known EU shipyard servicing the fleet after Damen Shiprepair Brest stopped accepting the vessels. The EU prohibition on maintenance and other services for tankers transporting Russian LNG begins on 1 January 2027.
· Political criticism: The open letter to Fayard was signed by 105 parliamentarians from 17 countries. Ukraine’s sanctions chief, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, has also criticised Fayard’s role in sustaining Russia’s Arctic LNG exports.
· Pavilion of Denmark: SMM takes place in Hamburg from 1–4 September 2026. The pavilion is organised by Danish Export – Marine and co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Trade Council. This support applies to the pavilion as a whole and does not necessarily mean the ministry directly financed Fayard’s stand at stand B1.EG.217.
