Damen acknowledges repair of LNG carrier linked to Russian export chain
While not technically under sanction, Wen Cheng is used for transshipped Russian LNG exports (Source: Hudong-Zhonghua)
In conversation with Norwegian outlet “High North News”, Damen revealed that its shipyards carried out emergency repairs on an LNG carrier connected to Russia's Yamal LNG export network in August 2025, in spite of a company policy introduced earlier that year.
The vessel, Wen Cheng, underwent repairs at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam's Botlek facility in August after participating in ship-to-ship LNG transfer operations linked to the Yamal LNG supply chain. While the vessel is not one of the dedicated Arc7 icebreaking carriers serving the Arctic project, vessel tracking data monitored during a year-long “High North News” investigation showed that the ship had repeatedly transported Russian LNG cargoes transferred from Arc7 vessels in the Murmansk region.
Damen had determined that the vessel’s Chinese owner was not subject to sanctions, was not part of the dedicated Yamal LNG Arc7 fleet, and that Dutch authorities had permitted the vessel's entry into the Port of Rotterdam. However, Damen had announced earlier in 2025 that it would cease repair work for vessels supporting Russian LNG exports, even where such work remained legally permissible under European sanctions.
"Although the previous repairs were permitted under European sanctions legislation, we decided to refrain from further work on this type of ship,” the company said previously.
"Damen can confirm that the Wen Cheng was shortly present in the Botlek repair area in August 2025,” the company said in a statement. “The work carried out was strictly limited to a necessary mechanical repair to an overboard pipe. This type of emergency repair is essential to ensure the vessel's safety and to prevent risks to the marine environment, in accordance with international maritime laws."
"In hindsight, we can conclude that this repair was not supposed to have happened under our own Damen policy," the company stated. "Damen will investigate the decision-making process within the lower management levels that led to this emergency repair and take further steps to prevent any future repairs on LNG tankers associated with Russian LNG exports."
Though the EU has struggled to wean itself off Russian natural gas, it plans to phase it out fully next year.
