Norwegian authorities seized a Russian vessel at the port of Barentsburg in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s Naftogaz Group as part of a global effort to enforce the arbitral award obtained by Naftogaz and other group companies against Russia in connection with the expropriation of their assets in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, Naftogaz said late on Wednesday.
The Svalbard governor’s office issued a statement confirming that the ship had been seized following an order from the Nord-Troms District Court, adding: “The Governor will take care of the crew and passengers on board the vessel in collaboration with Trust Arcticugol.”
The Nord-Troms District Court has, in a ruling on August 31, granted the Ukrainian company Naftogaz the right to seize the Russian ship, which is now docked in Barentsburg on Svalbard.
The legal process and ruling are part of the company’s fight to recover funds that were expropriated by Russia in 2014.
The Governor of Svalbard is the bailiff and, following an order from the Nord-Troms District Court, has seized the ship on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The ship has been ordered by the district court to dock at a location determined by the Governor, and it has been decided that the vessel will dock in Barentsburg until the Governor or Nord-Troms District Court decides otherwise.
Naftogaz said the seizure was ordered by the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court on August 31, 2026, to secure enforcement of the Russian Federation’s outstanding obligations under the arbitral award, amounting to approximately $4.22bn plus interest and costs.
The arbitral award had previously been recognised as enforceable in Norway.
In accordance with Naftogaz, the vessel is owned by Russia and is used for commercial expedition cruises, including to Svalbard.
“This is another important step towards restoring justice for Russia’s unlawful seizure of Naftogaz assets in Crimea. Russia cannot evade responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitral award. We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world until the compensation awarded to Naftogaz and other Naftogaz Group companies is paid,” said Naftogaz’s acting chief executive officer Sergii Fedorenko.
Under the court order, the vessel may not leave its current location, Naftogaz said, adding that the governor of Svalbard is required to take the necessary measures to prevent the vessel from being moved.
