Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian state-owned expedition cruise vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard as Naftogaz seeks to enforce a $4.22 billion arbitration award against Russia.
The vessel was arrested at Barentsburg on 2 September 2026 following an order from the Nord-Troms District Court. The court allowed Naftogaz to pursue the vessel as part of enforcement action linked to the award.
Professor Molchanov must remain in Barentsburg until Norwegian authorities or the court decides otherwise. The governor of Svalbard said arrangements were being made for the crew and passengers aboard.
Naftogaz received the $4.22 billion award in The Hague in 2023 over assets expropriated following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. Russia has not paid the award, and Naftogaz is pursuing Russian state property in other jurisdictions.
The case follows several recent actions involving Russian-linked vessels in Europe. Sweden’s Supreme Court last month cleared the way for the 4,337 dwt Caffa to be transferred to Ukraine after the vessel was intercepted off Trelleborg in March.
In June, British forces boarded the sanctioned tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, while France later intercepted the Cameroon-flagged Deliver near Sicily.
Russia has warned that such vessel seizures could prompt retaliation. Vladimir Putin said last month that Russia could respond in kind and indicated that any response would not necessarily be limited to the same waters.
