Petition to halt Russian tanker’s Flotta visit goes live

A petition calling on the UK Government and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deny Russian-owned vessels access to UK ports has gone live, already attracting more than 200 signatures.

The petition comes amid deep concern, dismay and disgust at the scheduled visit to Flotta of the tanker NS Champion.

The 244-metre vessel belongs to Sovcomflot, owned by the Russian government, and is currently making its way to Orkney ahead of the visit on Tuesday, March 1.

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has now sought the support of the First Minister to sanction and deny Russian-owned vessels to Scottish ports following the country’s invasion of the Ukraine.

In a call with the cabinet secretary for net zero, energy and transport this afternoon, Mr McArthur sought the support of the Scottish Government in making representations to the UK Government to ensure sanctions are used to prevent the vessel’s access to Scapa Flow.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has already urged Mr Johnson to deny access, while Councillor Steve Sankey said he could not condone any council-service such as pilotage or tugs being used to assist the ship.

Mr Carmichael and Mr McArthur met with the Orkney Harbours Authority on Friday to discuss the situation and committed to taking steps to ensure such vessels are denied access to our waters.

These vessels currently operate freely and cannot be legally denied access to ports by local harbour authorities.

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine was a “threat to our liberal, democratic order” said Mr McArthur and “there can be no question” of the NS Champion being permitted access.

He said: “While this is something that will need to be resolved at a UK level, I have urged the First Minister and transport secretary to lend the Scottish Government support in efforts to stop these vessels.

“With the Orkney community showing its solidarity with the Ukrainian people at a vigil outside St Magnus Cathedral, there can be no question of the NS Champion being allowed to enter Scapa Flow next week.”

Mr McArthur’s comments come as a petition attracts the signatures of Orcadians this evening.

Started by Aimee Nourse, it states: “Sanctions must be placed on Russian-owned trade vessels in order to stand with the Ukraine and show that the UK do not support the Russian invasion of a sovereign nation.

“If we do not act now, NS Champion will dock in the peaceful waters of Scapa Flow to collect crude oil on March 1, 2022. This can not be allowed to happen, Russian trade is not welcome in our waters.

“This is an insult to the Ukraine, to its people and to all Ukrainians living in the UK. We must not support Russian-owned trade vessels in any capacity. Help by signing this petition to put a stop to Russian owned vessels docking at UK ports now.”

Amid calls for the vessel to be refused access, and for key services such as tugs and pilotage to be refused, Orkney Islands Council said: “As a council we are in an extremely difficult position. We recognise the strength of feeling around this — feelings that we share — but we are bound by our legal obligations to accept the vessel, until such a time as the UK Government tells us otherwise.

“We have sought urgent advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who have told us that the current sanctions do not cover this operation.

“We continue dialogue both with elected representatives and Government departments on this situation as we seek to clarify what possible further action can be taken.”

The petition can be found here.