Norwegian ships transporting fish from Russia to European docks are driving increased trade at the major logistics hub of Murmansk, reports The Barents Observer.
The Norwegian website reported that the Murmansk Fishery Port in Russia’s northwest had seen significant growth last year on the back of its fish trade with Norway.
In 2024, it handled 278,200 tons of fish transshipments, the port’s official records say, making it the biggest annual volume since 2010.
At a time when much trade between Russia and its neighbors to the west is sanctioned, markets which bring money into Moscow’s coffers have come under more scrutiny.
SilverSea, a Norwegian shipping firm based in Bergen, garnered headlines recently when one of its fleet was suspected of involvement in damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.
The firm is a regular user of Murmansk’s port. However, the company's CEO, Tormod Fossmark, insisted that the company is complying with regulations as it moves fish between Russia and western Europe.
He emphasizes that “fish can be traded with Russians” under European and Norwegian law at the moment. The company does not impose “self-sanctions,” he added, saying that it also employs Russian crew members.
But Fossmark also underlined, speaking to the Barents Observer, that his company carefully follows recommendations and advice from Norwegian and European authorities.
The Silver Dania – one of SilverSea’s vessels - was detained in the Norwegian port of Tromsø in January over alleged damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, a region which has seen several cases of suspected infrastructure sabotage in recent months.
Latvian and Norwegian officials investigated the incident before the ship was later let go. Fossmark rejected accusations it was involved, stating Swedish authorities found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In 2024, it handled 278,200 tons of fish transshipments, the port’s official records say, making it the biggest annual volume since 2010.
At a time when much trade between Russia and its neighbors to the west is sanctioned, markets which bring money into Moscow’s coffers have come under more scrutiny.
SilverSea, a Norwegian shipping firm based in Bergen, garnered headlines recently when one of its fleet was suspected of involvement in damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.
The firm is a regular user of Murmansk’s port. However, the company's CEO, Tormod Fossmark, insisted that the company is complying with regulations as it moves fish between Russia and western Europe.
He emphasizes that “fish can be traded with Russians” under European and Norwegian law at the moment. The company does not impose “self-sanctions,” he added, saying that it also employs Russian crew members.
But Fossmark also underlined, speaking to the Barents Observer, that his company carefully follows recommendations and advice from Norwegian and European authorities.
The Silver Dania – one of SilverSea’s vessels - was detained in the Norwegian port of Tromsø in January over alleged damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, a region which has seen several cases of suspected infrastructure sabotage in recent months.
Latvian and Norwegian officials investigated the incident before the ship was later let go. Fossmark rejected accusations it was involved, stating Swedish authorities found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Russian-Dutch fish trade
Much of SilverSea’s trade between Russia and the EU involves docking in the Netherlands, the Barents Observer wrote.
The transportation of Russian fish through the western European state could raise strategic and financial concerns for those supporting Ukraine’s efforts in its war with Russia.
Seafood exports contribute to the Russian state budget, helping fund its military operations.
In 2023, approximately 98 million kilograms of Russian fish arrived in the Netherlands, with Russian refrigerated vessels docking almost weekly, an earlier news article by the Barents Observer stated.
Reports claim that businessmen tied to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and the Rotenberg brothers, allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, are involved in the fish trade.
Their businesses allegedly profit from fishing quotas and fish processing, further intertwining Russia’s seafood exports with its economic and political elite.
While the European Union recently approved its 16th package of sanctions against Russia—including measures against aluminum imports and 73 vessels from Russia’s “shadow fleet”—no restrictions have been placed on Russian fisheries.
The transportation of Russian fish through the western European state could raise strategic and financial concerns for those supporting Ukraine’s efforts in its war with Russia.
Seafood exports contribute to the Russian state budget, helping fund its military operations.
In 2023, approximately 98 million kilograms of Russian fish arrived in the Netherlands, with Russian refrigerated vessels docking almost weekly, an earlier news article by the Barents Observer stated.
Reports claim that businessmen tied to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and the Rotenberg brothers, allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, are involved in the fish trade.
Their businesses allegedly profit from fishing quotas and fish processing, further intertwining Russia’s seafood exports with its economic and political elite.
While the European Union recently approved its 16th package of sanctions against Russia—including measures against aluminum imports and 73 vessels from Russia’s “shadow fleet”—no restrictions have been placed on Russian fisheries.
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