Copenhagen, Denmark — Environmental campaigners used kayaks and a dinghy on Monday to cease a Russian oil tanker from unloading its cargo south of Norway’s capital, accusing Norwegian firms of “financing Russia’s warfare” in Ukraine.
Greenpeace stated its members chained themselves to the Hong Kong-registered Ust Luga, leased by Russian oil firm Novatek, because it arrived at its vacation spot, a terminal close to Toensberg owned by Exxon subsidiary Esso. The tanker carrying a cargo of greater than 105,000 tons of gas had left St. Petersburg.
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Esso spokeswoman Anne Fougner instructed Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet that the oil had been bought earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine. She added that Esso Norway “doesn’t produce other contracts for the acquisition of merchandise from Russia.”
“Oil is just not solely on the root of the local weather disaster, but in addition of wars and conflicts. I’m shocked that Norway operates as a free port for Russian oil, which we all know funds Putin’s warfare,” Greenpeace Norway head Frode Pleym stated in keeping with the Reuters information company.
A number of different activists had been stopped by police earlier than they may participate within the motion, Norwegian information company NTB reported.
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In March the U.S. authorities banned imports of Russian oil in a transfer concentrating on the nation’s huge power sector, which accounts for greater than half of Russia’s annual income.
Many European nations are way more reliant on Russia for oil and fuel, making it laborious to rapidly minimize their imports with out damaging their very own economies, however Esso Norway is amongst a number of which have stopped shopping for petroleum merchandise from Russia since President Vladimir launched his battle on Ukraine.
The European Union has begun discussing broader sanctions on Russian oil, together with a doable boycott.
