Fortuna has joined the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Fortuna will strive to complete the remaining 150 kilometers of the pipeline.

The Russian vessel Fortuna, commissioned to complete the disputed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, began work in Danish territorial waters, just days after the United States sanctioned its parent company. "Fortuna, which lays pipelines into the sea, started operations on a construction corridor in Denmark's exclusive economic zone - before the resumption of construction of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline. All work is carried out in accordance with the relevant permits," the project management statement said on 24 January. Which was quoted by DPA and Reuters on Monday.

150 kilometers left

Fortuna will work to complete the remaining 150 kilometers of the pipeline, including 120 kilometers in Danish waters and 30 kilometers in German waters, which is necessary for the successful completion of this project. The North Stream 2 gas pipeline falls under the supervision of the Russian state energy company Gazprom.

Sanctions against the shipowner

On January 19, the United States imposed sanctions on KVT-RUS, the owner of the Fortuna vessel, with a view to halting the finalization of the pipeline. Washington, along with several member states of the European Union, claims that the pipeline, which will transport Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, will strengthen Moscow's energy influence in Europe and undermine Ukraine's position as a transit state. The pipeline, designed to double the capacity of the existing subsea pipeline, the North Stream from Russia to Germany, is the subject of disputes between Berlin and Washington. Germany and Russia state that US measures amount to illegal extraterritorial sanctions against trade. Germany wants to secure natural gas supplies as it gradually phases out its dependence on nuclear power plants as well as on coal-fired power plants in the context of building infrastructure based on so-called green energy.