A coalition of 101 parliamentarians and MEPs from 16 European countries has pressed Denmark's Fayard shipyard to end maintenance on specialized ice-class tankers hauling Russian liquefied natural gas.

Organized by Danish Green MEP Villy Sovndal, the nation's ex-foreign minister, the move follows the docking of the Rudolf Samoylovich vessel at Fayard on 30 June.

The ship marks the first of as many as six Arc7 LNG carriers slated for upkeep ahead of the EU's 20th sanctions package, due in January 2027, which will impose a ban on Russian LNG imports.

In an open letter addressed to Fayard CEO Thomas Andersen, the lawmakers call on the firm to reject additional repair work on Arc7 tankers tied to Russian Arctic LNG exports and to declare publicly that no further such vessels will be handled in 2026.

The letter stresses that the issue touches Europe's security, Denmark's standing, and support for Ukraine.

Signatories comprise 51 MEPs alongside 50 national parliament members.

They warn that repairs completed before the 2027 embargo could let the vessels run for years afterward.

The letter repeats the demand that Fayard decline all further servicing of Arc7 LNG tankers and other ships supporting Russian Arctic LNG exports while confirming no additional vessels will be accepted during 2026.

The appeal stems from findings by NGOs Urgewald, B4Ukraine and Razom We Stand, which name Fayard as the final EU yard still handling the Arc7 fleet following Damen Shiprepair Brest's decision to stop in 2024.

Urgewald reports that each of the six Arc7 tankers due for maintenance this year has moved an average 5.3 million tonnes of Russian LNG since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with cargoes valued at roughly 4 billion euros per vessel.

Alexander Kirk, sanctions campaigner at Urgewald, stated that servicing these vessels goes beyond ordinary repairs and risks extending Russian Arctic LNG exports for years while channeling further funds to the Kremlin.

Sovndal noted that the Arc7 fleet forms a vital part of Russia's LNG export network and urged Fayard not to assist a trade Europe seeks to curb with the 2027 embargo.

Swedish MEP Jonas Sjostedt added that any remaining gaps or services for these ships only dilute sanctions and grant Russia extra leeway to fund its war.

Fayard has maintained that it adheres to existing EU regulations and supports maritime safety.

The company has nevertheless encountered domestic political criticism, including remarks from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that its activities bolster Russia's war effort.

Fayard told EUobserver that considerable trade persists between the EU and Russia in goods still needed by European nations, that it works only with vessels owned by international firms operating between the Yamal terminal and European ports in line with all rules, and that such assignments will end by December this year.