HOURS after hundreds of people from Milford Haven and the surrounding area clearly opposed ships from Russia berthing at a Milford Haven oil terminal the government has acted to turn all ships around which are owned, controlled, chartered or operated by any person connected with Russia.
A row erupted on Facebook when it became public knowledge that an oil tanker was headed from Primorsk, via the Baltic Sea. The next vessel, The Louie, currently sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands, is due to arrive as soon as March 4.
( More on Russian tankers in Milford Haven from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/28/russia-oil-tanker-docked-in-wales-even-as-uk-moves-to-restrict-access-ukraine-sanctions )
The Pembokeshire Herald published an article online, which has been commented on by hundreds of people against The Louie entering Milford Haven port.
Milford Haven Port Authority said it is awaiting direction from the UK Government regards ships from Russia heading for Milford Haven.
On his Twitter feed, The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, posted “Today I’ve written to all UK ports asking them not to provide access to any Russian flagged, registered, owned, controlled, chartered or operated vessels. Given Putin’s action in #Ukraine I’ve made clear these vessels are NOT welcome here with prohibiting legislation to follow.”
Is is currently unclear if the new direction will mean that The Louie would need to turn around. That would depend if the ship was chartered or controlled by any person connected with Russia.
The government said that it would “seek to support UK ports identyifying Russian ships within the scope of the above, and will communicate directly with the relevant ports when we identify ships bound for UK ports who fall within scope [of the new rules].”
Speaking of the ship, Milford Haven councillor Stephen Joseph said: “I am 100% against this tanker coming to Milford Haven. And I am 100% behind the people of Ukraine. I also have sympathy for the Russian soldiers who have been, in my view, hookwinked into this attack. The poor buggers thought they were on an exercise, from what I understand.
“I don’t think that Putin’s actioned have been justified, but I am worried that he is mad enough to do something really stupid to save face or to prevent being overthrown. He rants and raves and changes focus, he is not a rational man.”
Cllr Joseph added: “If the ship is not turned around I hope that a protest can be organised. I certainly would be attending.”
Sam Kursz MS said: “Given the horrific images of invasion and war led by Putin’s forces in Ukraine, Grant Shapps & the UK Government have my full support in refusing Russian entry to UK Ports – including those in Pembrokeshire.
“The maritime sector is a fundamental part of international trade; this ban will hit hard on Russia’s economic interests and prohibit their ability to profit from our economic output.It is not appropriate, nor welcome, to continue granting Russian vessels access to our country.
“I welcome this move and I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
