OSLO, April 25 (Reuters) – Norwegian police say they have arrested 20 Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion activists who blocked a tanker delivering Russian oil to an Exxon Mobil terminal on Monday.
In protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, activists attached their red dinghy to the Ust Luga anchor chain, Greenpeace said as they tried to prevent the unloading of approximately 95,000 tonnes of oil.
“Oil is not only at the root of the climate crisis, but also of wars and conflicts. I am shocked that Norway is operating as a free port for Russian oil, which we know is financing Putin’s war,” said Greenpeace Norwegian leader Frode Plame.
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The group called on the Norwegian government to ban imports of Russian fossil fuels and said Norwegian Exxon Mobil’s Esso division (XOM.N) should cancel any contracts for such imports from Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special military operation.” “.
Norwegian police later said all activists had been removed from the area.
The Hong Kong-registered Ust Luga is anchored in front of the Esso Slagen oil terminal about 70 km (43 miles) south of the capital Oslo, according to the tracking ship Marine Traffic.
Esso Norway has agreed to buy oil before the conflict and has no plans to buy further from Russia, a company spokesman told Reuters.
“Esso Norway fully complies with all Norwegian sanctions and we support coordinated international efforts to end Russia’s unprovoked attack,” Esso said in an e-mail statement.
The tanker’s cargo is used to mix marine gas oil for the shipping industry, the company added.
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Report by Terje Solswick; Edited by Louise Havens, David Goodman and Alexander Smith
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