Friday morning saw activists from Greenpeace Nordic launch a protest against a bunker vessel accused of fuelling the Russian so-called shadow fleet in open seas off the Swedish island, Gotland. The activists approached the vessel in two ribs and painted Oil is war – People want peace on the side.
“The 125 metre long bunker vessel Zircone operates as a floating gas station, fuelling the shadow fleet,” Greenpeace stated in a release today.
“The Russian shadow fleet is a severe threat to our treasured seas and coastlines. In fact, shipping experts call it an accident waiting to happen. We urge the Swedish government to stop allowing the Zircone to operate in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone and thereby remove critical infrastructure from the Russian fleet that is financing the war in Ukraine,” said Rolf Lindahl, peace and energy campaigner at Greenpeace Nordic.
“This is as wrong as it gets. Not only does the shadow fleet constitute an immediate environmental threat, it is also fuelling Russia’s war on Ukraine. The sanctions are vague, allowing for this shadow fleet, because of global society’s dependence on oil. There is an urgent need for a transition to safe, green energy,” he added.
Last month, a tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet was involved in a collision near Denmark sparking much debate in the country about a greater crackdown on such ships transiting through the Danish Straits.
