Amendment to sanctions officially bars Russian vessels

Russian vessels have been officially barred from entry into UK ports, as the result of an official amendment to sanctions.

This news comes in the wake of tensions over a Russian tanker, which had previously been scheduled to visit Flotta Oil Terminal this week.

This announcement, shared in the Scottish Parliament this Tuesday afternoon, has arrived just as Orkney’s island councillors issued a letter urging the UK and Scottish Governments to take further action to prohibit Russian ships from entering our waters.

The visit of NS Champion, which had been scheduled for today before being rescheduled to Wednesday and then ultimately cancelled, was called off after UK transport minister Grant Shapps penned a letter to ports nationwide, urging them to bar entry to Russian vessels.

Today’s amendment to UK sanctions against Russia will officially bring Mr Shapps’ ask into law.

A letter penned today by councillors to the UK’s foreign secretary demands just that.

It reads: “We, the elected members of Orkney Islands Council stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and condemn the military action by Russia at this time. Like countless others watching the invasion unfold on the news, from a position of safety, we are deeply moved and appeal for your urgency in introducing sanctions on Russian activity in the UK.

“We appeal to you to take immediate action to address the activity of state-owned Russian vessels in UK waters at this time, in particular the activities by Sovcomflot oil tankers in the Northern Isles of Scotland. We are aware of the vessel NS Challenger, owned by Sovcomflot, which was permitted to take on cargo at Sullom Voe Oil terminal, in Shetland on the February 24.

“Following the media statements from Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, another Sovcomflot vessel NS Champion has cancelled its berth in Scapa Flow, Orkney on the March 2, 2022.

“It is with our disappointment that sanctions were not imposed prior to this Sovcomflot activity in Shetland, however we hope that similar commercial activity in our waters is restricted in future.

“We, the undersigned, fully support the UK Government extending sanctions to modify the obligations of Open Port Duty, Section 33 of the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, to be applied to the activity of Russian state-owned vessels and their use of UK ports.

“Elected members of Orkney Islands Council, as the Orkney Harbour Authority, continue to uphold the Port Marine Safety Code and the obligations covered by the Pilotage Act 1987.”

The letter was signed by all 21 councillors. The amendment to UK sanctions came into force at 3pm this Tuesday.