A SHIP carrying Russian oil that was moored in north-west England has moved on after workers made it clear they would not unload the cargo, reports The Guardian.
The German-flagged Seacod was moored near the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, but moved away on last Sunday, heading north.
On Friday the Unite union said it had informed Stanlow's owner, India's Essar Group, that its members would 'under no circumstances unload any Russian oil regardless of the nationality of the vessel which delivers it', echoing steps taken by counterparts at a gas terminal in Kent and in the Netherlands.
A ban on Russian vessels introduced last week by the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, does not cover cargo, allowing several ships to dock since then despite carrying gas or oil that was ultimately purchased from Kremlin-controlled entities. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, urged Mr Shapps 'to close this loophole immediately'.
It was not clear if the oil was unloaded before unions became aware it was Russian.
A government spokesperson said: 'It is mandatory for all ports and harbours to follow legislation banning all ships that are Russian-owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering British ports. The government will support all ports in exercising their responsibilities.'
hey added: 'Ministers are exploring options to further reduce the already small amount of imports we do get from Russia and we continue to urge Europe to put in place plans to end their dependence on Russian gas.'
The Essar Group said: 'Essar remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and is fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK government with regard to Russia-related entities.
'Earlier this week, we turned away two cargoes of non-Russian-origin crude oil which would have been delivered in Russian-flagged tankers. We can confirm that a German-flagged vessel was approved to berth at Tranmere oil terminal by the port authority on Thursday, March 3.
'This vessel set sail for Tranmere on February 22, before the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent introduction of UK government sanctions. For a number of days we have been working urgently to find alternative sources of diesel while simultaneously ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the north-west of England.
'Essar will continue to comply fully and will respond promptly to any changes the UK government may make to the statutory framework of sanctions.'
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The German-flagged Seacod was moored near the Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, but moved away on last Sunday, heading north.
On Friday the Unite union said it had informed Stanlow's owner, India's Essar Group, that its members would 'under no circumstances unload any Russian oil regardless of the nationality of the vessel which delivers it', echoing steps taken by counterparts at a gas terminal in Kent and in the Netherlands.
A ban on Russian vessels introduced last week by the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, does not cover cargo, allowing several ships to dock since then despite carrying gas or oil that was ultimately purchased from Kremlin-controlled entities. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, urged Mr Shapps 'to close this loophole immediately'.
It was not clear if the oil was unloaded before unions became aware it was Russian.
A government spokesperson said: 'It is mandatory for all ports and harbours to follow legislation banning all ships that are Russian-owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering British ports. The government will support all ports in exercising their responsibilities.'
hey added: 'Ministers are exploring options to further reduce the already small amount of imports we do get from Russia and we continue to urge Europe to put in place plans to end their dependence on Russian gas.'
The Essar Group said: 'Essar remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and is fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK government with regard to Russia-related entities.
'Earlier this week, we turned away two cargoes of non-Russian-origin crude oil which would have been delivered in Russian-flagged tankers. We can confirm that a German-flagged vessel was approved to berth at Tranmere oil terminal by the port authority on Thursday, March 3.
'This vessel set sail for Tranmere on February 22, before the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent introduction of UK government sanctions. For a number of days we have been working urgently to find alternative sources of diesel while simultaneously ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the north-west of England.
'Essar will continue to comply fully and will respond promptly to any changes the UK government may make to the statutory framework of sanctions.'
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