Russia seizes Svitzer tugs

The AP Møller - Maersk-owned Svitzer has had four tugboats seized in Russia. Maersk has tried to divest itself of all its activities since the outbreak of war, but the four Svitzer tugs have been an outstanding one. They were under contract with Sakhalin Energy, which accuses Svitzer of breach of contract.

It is a Russian court on the island of Sakhalin that has ordered the seizure of the four tugboats at the request of the Russian energy company, which accuses Svitzer of breach of contract because the Danish company wanted to cancel the contract, writes Reuters.

Maersk announced shortly after the invasion of Ukraine that the company is withdrawing from Russia. This has meant, among other things, the sale of the ownership stake in the Russian company Global Ports Investments.

But the four Svitzer-owned tugboats failed to find new owners.

According to Maersk, all of Svitzer's employees in Russia have been dismissed following the court's decision.

"We believe that the situation regarding the tugboats is untenable and efforts to resolve the matter are underway," said a statement from Maersk, according to Reuters.

The ships are provisionally seized until May 18, the deadline for Sakhalin Energy to open a case challenging Svitzer's suspension of the contract.