Royal Navy ship ‘undergoing routine training’ as tanker moves towards Orkney

The Russian oil tanker, NS Champion, appears to be making its way back towards Orkney this evening.

The ship has been anchored in an area to the south-east of the islands since this morning but now shipping tracking websites show the vessel back on the move.

A Royal Navy ship, HMS Severn, is also currently in Scapa Flow, prompting speculation that it could be in response to the oil tanker.

However, an MoD spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have a vessel in the area undergoing routine training.”

The vessel, which belongs to the Russian government-owned shipping giant, Sovcomflot (SCF Group), has been at the centre of calls for its access to Scapa Flow and Flotta be blocked after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The oil tanker is scheduled to visit Flotta on Tuesday, March 1, for crude oil.

The disgust at the prospect of a state-owned Russian ship visiting Orkney at a time when war is taking place in Ukraine has been clear.

Alistair Carmichael MP has written to the Prime Minister calling for the UK Government to deny Russian ships access to UK ports after the invasion of Ukraine, while Liam McArthur MSP has also sought the support of the First Minister over the issue.

The Orkney Greens have demanded a ban on such vessels entering the Flow with islands councillor Steve Sankey calling for the removal of services such as pilotage and tugs.

A petition went live on Saturday night calling on the UK Government and Boris Johnson to act to halt the ship docking in Flotta, gathering more than 1,800 signatures so far.

And Orkney Islands Council said it recognised the strength of feeling over the issue but were bound by “legal obligations” to accept the vessel — until such a time that the UK Government says otherwise.

A spokeswoman added: ”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.”