Russia oil tanker now following course away from Orkney

February 27, 2022 at 8:20 am

The situation on Sunday morning as the NS Champion appeared to be following a course away from Orkney. (Marine Traffic)

The Russian-owned oil tanker, NS Champion, is now to the south-east of Orkney after sailing through the Pentland Firth in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Shipping website, Marine Traffic, now shows the ship appearing to head away from the county, moving further south.

The prospect of the ship docking in Flotta on Tuesday has prompted a huge outcry since being revealed by The Orcadian on Friday.

The 244-metre vessel belongs to Sovcomflot, or SCF Group, which owned by the Russian government.

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.

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, and has gathered close to 500 signatures.

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.