Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian expedition vessel Professor Molchanov following a court order linked to a $4.22-billion compensation claim pursued by Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz.

Naftogaz said the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court issued the seizure order on August 31. The vessel is being held at the port of Barentsburg in Svalbard and is prohibited from leaving while the order remains in effect. The Governor of Svalbard has been directed to prevent the vessel from being moved.

The Russian-owned Professor Molchanov is reportedly used for commercial expedition cruises, including voyages around Norway’s Arctic archipelago. The seizure is part of Naftogaz’s efforts to enforce a 2023 international arbitration award concerning company assets taken following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which is internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.

Naftogaz said it will continue pursuing Russian assets in other countries as part of its efforts to recover the compensation awarded. The seizure is an enforcement measure and does not mean the vessel’s value covers the full $4.22-billion claim.