The Arc7 icebreaking LNG carrier Rudolf Samoylovich has arrived at Denmark's Fayard A/S Odense yard for scheduled maintenance. The visit highlights Fayard's role as the last remaining European shipyard still servicing the specialized fleet that enables year round exports from Novatek's Yamal LNG project on Russia's Arctic coast.
Rudolf Samoylovich is one of 14 Arc7 icebreaking LNG carriers built to operate independently through Arctic ice up to 2.1 meters thick. The ships serve Yamal LNG under long term charter by Seapeak, Dynagas and MOL, and are widely regarded as indispensable to Russia's ability to ship gas west to Europe in winter and east to Asian markets in summer.
Until early 2025, two Western yards handled most of the fleet's planned maintenance: Damen Shiprepair Brest in France and Fayard in Denmark. After Damen stopped servicing the vessels, Fayard's Odense yard became the sole remaining European facility performing this work. The EU will prohibit maritime services related to Russian LNG exports from January 1, 2027, making this summer the final maintenance window before the restrictions take effect.
Environmental group Urgewald said in a report published last week that as many as six Arc7 carriers could visit Fayard during the rest of 2026 based on historical dry docking intervals, naming Georgiy Brusilov, Boris Davydov, Vladimir Vize, Nikolay Zubov and Nikolay Yevgenov as likely candidates. Danish MEP Villy Sovndal accused the yard of helping keep the Kremlin's fossil fuel fleet operational while the war in Ukraine continues, though Fayard says its work fully complies with Danish and EU sanctions.
For Novatek the coming months represent the last opportunity to complete comprehensive maintenance at a nearby European yard. Once the ban takes effect, Russia will have to rely on non European repair facilities, likely raising costs, transit times and operational complexity for a fleet analysts say is essential to keeping Yamal LNG running reliably well beyond 2027.