A Russian fishing vessel accused of links to espionage and sabotage in Norway remains free to operate in the Faroe Islands — despite being barred from EU and Norwegian waters.

The Melkart-2, owned by sanctioned firm Murman Seafood, is one of several Russian ships allowed to fish in Faroese waters under a decades-old bilateral agreement.

The EU sanctioned Murman Seafood on 20 May, alleging it is tied to Russian “destabilising activities” in Europe. Norwegian and EU officials say the company has close links to the Kremlin and poses a security threat.

Government Says No Legal Basis to Block Entry

Faroe Islands Foreign Minister Sirið Stenberg told reporters the Faroese government currently has no legal grounds to deny the vessel access to its ports.

Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen has said that no decision on aligning with EU and Norwegian sanctions would be taken before the Ólavsøka holiday in late July, noting that parliament was in recess.

Critics, including members of the Faroe Islands parliamentary foreign affairs committee, have urged swifter action before more Murman Seafood vessels arrive.

Sister Ship Under Scrutiny

EU sanctions were triggered by activities involving Melkart-5, a sister vessel to Melkart-2. According to EU reports, the ship operated near NATO exercises, military sites, and undersea cables — including the Svalbard cable damaged in 2022 — and allegedly conducted covert inspections of a strategic Norwegian bridge used for military transport.

1977 Fishing Pact Keeps Access Open

Since 1977, the Faroe Islands and Russia have maintained a fisheries agreement granting Russian vessels rights to catch mackerel, blue whiting, and herring in Faroese waters, in return for Faroese access to cod and haddock in Russian waters.

The arrangement has drawn criticism from the UK and Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Faroese ministers insist they follow EU sanctions where applicable, but note the latest measures target Russia’s broader destabilising activities, not specifically its war in Ukraine.

Officials are now weighing whether new legislation is needed to align Faroese law more closely with EU restrictions.