Do the Danish authorities have adequate control over Russian ships near the Faroe Islands?

With the last fisheries agreement between Faroe Islands and Russia, about 30 Russian vessels were given access to Faroese territory.

Among these ships are Ester and Lira, where Norwegian authorities have found military communications equipment on board when the ships had arrived directly from Faroese territory. Old equipment, but military equipment.

Among the vessels is also Melkart-2, which belongs to the shipping company Murman Sea Food. This shipping company is under such strong suspicion of illegal activities both in terms of espionage and sabotage, that the EU has now sanctioned the shipping company, and the Norwegian authorities have tightened considerably the control of its ships.

In Norway, the police and the Norwegian intelligence service are responsible for this.

But what about the Faroe Islands? The Danish authorities are responsible for the security of the country. Do they have adequate controls?

Sjurdur Skaale has asked the Danish government the following questions about:

 Can the Minister explain whether Danish authorities, including the police and intelligence services, are aware of Murman Sea Foods’ activities in the Faroe Islands? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler raises serious eyebrows”, on 3 June 2025, which states that the Russian shipping company Murman Sea Food has been sanctioned on suspicion of espionage and sabotage?

Can the Minister explain whether Danish authorities, including the police and intelligence services, are aware of Murman Sea Foods’ activities in the Faroe Islands? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, on June 3, 2025, which states that the Russian shipping company Murman Sea Food has been sanctioned on suspicion of espionage and sabotage?

Will the Minister state whether Melkart-2’s movements in and around the Faroe Islands have been investigated further, cf. DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, on June 3, 2025, where it appears that the trawler Melkart-2 has access to Faroese waters and Faroese ports via the fisheries agreement between the Faroe Islands and Russia?

Will the Minister state whether Melkart-2’s movements in and around the Faroe Islands have been investigated further, cf. DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, on June 3, 2025, where it appears that the trawler Melkart-2 has access to Faroese waters and Faroese ports via the fisheries agreement between the Faroe Islands and Russia?

Can the Minister explain what security checks have been carried out on board the Russian vessels in the Faroe Islands, including specifically Melkart-2? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, 3 June 2025, which states that other ships from Murman Sea Food have previously called at Faroese ports?

Can the Minister explain what security checks have been carried out on board the Russian vessels in the Faroe Islands, including specifically Melkart-2? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, 3 June 2025, which states that other ships from Murman Sea Food have previously called at Faroese ports?

How does the Minister assess the specific security risk posed by Russian trawlers’ activities in Faroese waters, especially in light of the fact that, according to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, on June 3, 2025, the trawler Melkart-5 has moved close to submarine cables in Norway, which were subsequently damaged?

How does the Minister assess the specific security risk posed by Russian trawlers’ activities in Faroese waters, especially in light of the fact that, according to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, on June 3, 2025, the trawler Melkart-5 has moved close to submarine cables in Norway, which were subsequently damaged?

Will the Minister state whether there is a coordinated effort between Danish, Faroese and Norwegian authorities regarding the surveillance and control of Russian ships in the area? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler raises serious frowns”, 3 June 2025.

Will the Minister state whether there is a coordinated effort between Danish, Faroese and Norwegian authorities regarding the surveillance and control of Russian ships in the area? Reference is made to DR’s article “Suspected espionage missions in Norway: Russian trawler causes serious frowns”, 3 June 2025.

The Liberal Party in the Folketing