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Protesters against the war in Ukraine in kayaks and a dinghy have chained themselves to an oil tanker in Norway to prevent the delivery of nearly 100,000 metric tons of Russian oil, Greenpeace said on Monday.
“Oil is not only at the root of the climate crisis, but also of wars and conflicts,” said Frode Plame, program manager at Greenpeace Norway.
“I am shocked that Norway operates as a free port for Russian oil, which we know the finances [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war, “Plaim continued.
Greenpeace said activists wanted a ban on Russian oil imports to Norway and Esso, a subsidiary of US-based ExxonMobil, “to cancel its contracts to buy fossil fuels from Russia during the war.” The group also included members of Extinction Rebellion, a global network of climate change activists.
“Esso claims to be against the war in Ukraine, but their actions make them complicit in financing the Russian military machine and taking advantage of the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” said Extinction Rebellion activist Webborn Belan Berg in a statement issued by a spokesman for the chapter. for Norway, Even Tomte.
Photos from the scene show less than 10 activists floating in small boats near the tanker and holding signs reading “Oil Fuel War” and “Stop the War.”
Local TV2 reported that about 10 people had been arrested in the incident. Tomte cited a higher figure, saying 15 activists with his group and seven from Greenpeace had been detained.
Greenpeace said in a statement that the “peaceful action” was taking place at the Oslo Fjord, in the Slagentangen oil port, owned by Esso.
Richard Skeres, a spokesman for ExxonMobil, said Esso was enforcing pre-war contracts and complying with sanctions.
“We have not made any new purchases of Russian products since the invasion and there are no plans for future purchases,” Scrase said in an e-mail statement. We support internationally coordinated efforts to end Russia’s unprovoked attack.
The protest highlights the controversy over Russian oil in Europe. European countries are heavily dependent on Russia to meet their oil and gas needs and have so far not imposed a wholesale embargo, even when activists say the money from buying Russian oil and gas finances the war in Ukraine.
Greenpeace activists are currently blocking the Ust Luga oil tanker, preventing it from unloading thousands of tons of Russian oil at the port.
The action takes place in the Oslo Fjord, near the port of Slagentangen, owned by Esso, a Norwegian subsidiary of ExxonMobil. pic.twitter.com/19lLkoGF2j
– Greenpeace Norge (@GreenpeaceNorge) April 25, 2022
Greenpeace said activists in kayaks and a boat had attached themselves to the Ust Luga’s anchor chain to prevent it from unloading about 95,000 metric tons of oil at an oil terminal off the coast of Asgardstrand, a port city south of Oslo. . The organization, which is fighting for environmental and other causes, estimates that the ship’s cargo is worth 116 million dollars.
Ust Luga is registered in Hong Kong, according to the Marine Traffic website. Greenpeace said the tanker was operated by Novatek, Russia’s main natural gas producer.
According to Marine Traffic, Ust Luga was anchored in the waters of southeastern Norway, near the Slagen oil terminal, owned by ExxonMobil’s Esso Norway. At about 3:25 p.m., he was approached by a tugboat, and a law enforcement ship was nearby.
Greenpeace activists are best known for organizing colorful cascades to draw attention to the climate crisis, but the global nonprofit network is also advocating for “peace, global disarmament and nonviolence.”
Plaim seeks to draw attention to climate issues as well as war. “During these two months of the Russian war of aggression, we have seen horrific images and we know the unimaginable suffering of the innocent civilian population of Ukraine,” Plaim said. “The fact that our government still allows the import of Russian fossil fuels in the current situation is incomprehensible.
“… The Ukrainian president called on Europe to stop Russian fossil fuels. And with good reason, ”Plame continued. “Putin’s source of income must be exhausted immediately, and the ban on oil imports is a very good start. We must stop this war. “
Miriam Berger contributed to this report.
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