The UK government receives calls to ban Russian ships from British ports, after it was announced that the Russian-owned oil tanker NS Champion will arrive in Orkney this week.
More specifically, writing a letter to prime minister Boris Johnson, the MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael urged for sanctions against Sovcomflot and further action to deny Russian-owned vessels access to UK ports.
Like right thinking people across the United Kingdom, the people of Orkney have been sickened by what we have seen on our television screens of the Russian attack on Ukraine. We expect you, as our prime minister, to act to stop this continued trade that is earning money to fund the slaughter of Ukrainian citizens
In addition, protests took place on Orkney during the weekend against the invasion of Ukraine and the tanker’s arrival, which, for the time being, cannot be refused permission to dock.
Commenting on the situation, a UK government spokesman noted that they were aware of concerns about Russian-connected ships potentially docking in the UK, adding that the government is working to explore several measures to restrict access for these ships.
We are already discussing this issue with the Scottish government and the sanctions being considered are part of a wider package being worked up across the UK government
Sovcomflot is currently subject to US sanctions, limiting its ability to raise money through the US markets.
