Norwegian authorities have seized a Russian ship in the Arctic on behalf of a Ukrainian energy company, sparking a strong protest from Moscow. The vessel, the Professor Molchanov, was taken late Wednesday in Barentsburg, a Russian-controlled settlement on Norway's Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, according to officials.
Russia's Foreign Ministry declared the arrest an act of piracy and summoned the Norwegian ambassador to lodge a protest, stating it would work to secure the ship's release. The ministry accused Norway of violating a 1920 treaty governing Svalbard by imposing restrictive measures that it claims have put Russian organizations and citizens on the archipelago under effective blockade.
Norway's Justice Ministry stated that the seizure was ordered by a district court on Monday, with the governor of Svalbard tasked with ensuring the ship remains in port. The ministry noted that Russia can request the district court to reassess the case.
The Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz initiated the seizure as part of efforts to enforce a $4.22 billion compensation award, plus interest and legal costs, stemming from assets Moscow seized when it annexed Crimea in 2014. Naftogaz has been pursuing Russia for compensation since 2016. An arbitration court in The Hague ordered Russia in April 2023 to pay the award, but Russia has stated it does not recognize the court's jurisdiction and will not pay.
"Russia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award," said Naftogaz acting CEO Sergii Fedorenko. Naftogaz has indicated it will continue to pursue Russian assets globally until the compensation is paid, with potential targets including assets in the U.S., France, Britain, and Finland, where some Russian assets have already been frozen.
Svalbard, a Norwegian territory since 1925, is governed by a 1920 treaty that permits citizens of signatory states, including Russia, to settle there visa-free. Barentsburg is one of two Russian settlements on the archipelago, with a combined population of 392 residents out of Svalbard's total population of 2,914.
The 71-meter Professor Molchanov, built in 1982, can carry 32 crew and 52 passengers and is used for scientific expeditions and commercial cruises. It arrived in Barentsburg on Tuesday with a group of Russian scientists. The seizure did not involve arrests, and expedition members continued their activities, with the ship initially only forbidden from leaving port.
Legal representatives for Naftogaz stated they anticipate Russia will contest the arrest in court. "So we need to win another legal battle to be able to auction the vessel and get the money for our clients, which is the ultimate goal," said Clovis Trevino, a partner at the U.S. law firm Covington, which is representing Naftogaz. Trevino noted that the ship's value is likely a small fraction of the total amount owed, estimated at around $6 billion including costs and interest, but called the seizure a "very meaningful win."