Climate activists organized a protest on Monday to prevent a tanker from delivering Russian oil to Esso’s terminal in Tønsberg. Around 20 of them were brought in by the police.
Activists from both Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion tried to stop the Hong Kong-registered oil tanker Ust Luga from delivering oil to the terminal at Slagentangen in Tønsberg Municipality.
However, the police at the scene managed to stop the planned protest.
The activists got inside the safety zone, where they chained themselves to the tanker’s anchor chain so that the ship could not move. At the same time, activists from Extinction Rebellion entered the port area where the tanker was to dock.
Activists in kayaks display banners that read “Oil fuels war,” “Stop fuelling the war,” and “No war.”
In the end, all the activists, both at sea and on land, were removed and brought in by the police, the Southeastern Police District stated in a press release.
Greenpeace Norway: Proud that we stopped Russian oil for five hours
Communications manager at Greenpeace Norway Aud Hegli Nordø told Norway Today that the organization stands by its demand for Norway to ban the import of Russian fossil fuels.
“We are calling on the Norwegian government to ban the import of Russian fossil fuels and demanding that Esso cancel its contracts to buy fossil fuel from Russia in this time of war,” Nordø said.
“The police brought in 14 activists from Extinction Rebellion and seven activists from Greenpeace. We are proud that we stopped Russian oil for five hours. We believe we have made it clear that there is strong opposition to Norwegian import of Russian oil, which we know finances Putin’s warfare,” she added.
Esso’s comments
Esso Norway confirmed to Dagbladet’s Børsen last week that they are the recipient of the oil from Russia.
“The purchase contract was entered into before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Esso Norway does not have other contracts for the purchase of products from Russia,” information director Anne Fougner in Esso said.
She accentuated that the cargo is not covered by current sanctions against Russia.
On March 18, EU sanctions against Russia were introduced in Norway. However, Greenpeace Norway told Norway Today that the Norwegian government is not doing enough to put pressure on Russia via the current sanctions.
“The Norwegian government should ban all Russian oil and gas without waiting for the EU sanctions. It is really unheard of that Norway still imports Russian oil,” Nordø pointed out.
Robin-Ivan Capar is a contributor and editor at Norway Today.
Source: #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
Do you have a news tip for Norway Today? We want to hear it. Get in touch at [email protected]
Any reduction in fossil fuel consumption (or production) is welcome.