The authorities of Norway prevented the departure of a Russian cruise ship from the Svalbard archipelago after a court ordered its detention at the request of the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, which seeks to enforce a compensation of 4.22 billion dollars against Russia for the confiscation of its assets in Crimea following the 2014 annexation.
The vessel ''Professor Molchanov'', measuring 71 meters in length, has been detained since Wednesday night in Barentsburg, a coal mining settlement managed by Russia in Svalbard. This measure represents a new chapter in Naftogaz's international legal offensive to locate Russian assets that could be used to compensate for the losses recognized by an international arbitration tribunal.
The order was issued on Monday by a Norwegian district court, which instructed the governor of Svalbard to ensure that the ship could not leave the port. Russia has the option to request that the court re-examine the case, while Naftogaz hopes to subsequently move towards a potential auction of the vessel.
The Russian government reacted strongly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the detention of the cruise ship as an act of ''piracy'' and announced that it had summoned the Norwegian ambassador to present a formal protest. Moscow also stated that the measures applied by Norway against Russian organizations and citizens in Svalbard constitute illegal restrictions and accused Oslo of violating international law and the Svalbard Treaty.
Russia also asserted that it will work to secure the release of the vessel. The Kremlin's argument is based on the rights granted by the 1920 international treaty to citizens of the signatory countries, including Russia, to settle and develop certain economic activities in the archipelago.
Norway rejected directly linking the Oslo government to the economic dispute. The Ministry of Justice stated that the conflict related to the ship concerns Naftogaz and Russia. At the same time, Norwegian authorities indicated that they are willing to facilitate the return of crew members, passengers, and others on board who wish to return to Russia.
The governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause, stated that the authorities are in talks with the Barentsburg administration to find mechanisms that ensure a safe return for the affected individuals.
