Nicola Sturgeon in talks to block Russian oil tanker docking in Orkney

Nicola Sturgeon said oil and gas firms with interests in Russia should be “getting out”, as she called for tough sanctions and a block on tankers docking in UK ports.

The first minister said today in Aberdeen she is taking that message to industry leaders in the north-east as international communities continue to isolate Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Ms Sturgeon said oil and gas firms with “interests in, partnerships in or investment in Russia” should “think about getting out of that”.

Energy giant BP has already chosen to walk away from its investments in Russia’s state-owned oil firm, along with Norwegian oil firm Equinor.

Ms Sturgeon also said she does not want a Russian oil tanker due to arrive in Orkney’s Flotta oil terminal on Tuesday to dock there.

The SNP leader confirmed she spoke with UK Government transport secretary Grant Shapps on Monday evening and would continue talks on the potential new sanction.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We must make sure that Putin, his regime, his cronies, his network of oligarchs, are as isolated as possible.

“I welcome the announcements last night by Equinor and I would call on other companies in the UK with interests in Russia to follow suit.

“We must make sure that the international condemnation, not just in words but in action against Russia, is as strong as it possibly can be.

“Governments have to lead by example in terms of the sanctions that are imposed but big, multi-national companies have a big part to play too.”
‘Hopefully we can stop that happening’

Ms Sturgeon said the NS Champion vessel, owned by Russian company Sovcomflot, should not be allowed to dock in Orkney.

The firm, one of the world’s largest petroleum shipping companies, is facing sanctions from the US.

But no sanctions have been imposed on the company by the UK Government.

Ms Sturgeon continued: “Let me be blunt, I don’t want that tanker to dock in Orkney tomorrow.

“This is an issue that is reserved to the UK Government. This tanker is majority owned by a Russian-government controlled company.

“It would go against, if not the letter then certainly the spirit, of the sanctions and I think it would send the wrong message to the people in Ukraine and across the world right now.

“It is a matter for the UK Government. I personally had discussions last night with Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Transport.

“To be fair to him, he agreed with me about how unacceptable it would be for that tanker to dock as planned and I will continue discussions with him, and his officials, over the course of the day.

“Hopefully we can find a way to stop that happening.”

Orkney Islands Council has said it is in an “extremely difficult position” as they have a “legal obligation to accept the vessel, until such a time as the UK Government tells us otherwise”.

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