Tanker docks in France as workers protest Russian oil

UK dock workers refused to unload a tanker of Russian gas yesterday in protest at the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Boris Vilkitsky instead docked at the port of Montoir-de-Bretagne in Brittanny.

The Guardian revealed that the vessel had been on its way to the Isle of Grain, in southeast England, with a consignment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Centrica, the owner of British Gas.

While the UK has banned Russian ships from its ports – supplies of natural gas and oil from the country are still permitted.

The West has so far avoided energy-specific sanctions on Russia, despite unveiling heavy economic measures targeting its central bank and multiple financial institutions.

Oil major Shell faced intense criticism earlier this week following its purchase of Russian oil at a record low discount.

The oil giant defended the purchase and said it would choose alternatives to Russian oil wherever possible, but this could not happen overnight because of how significant Russia is to global supply.

Shell later announced it would put profits from the purchases into a fund which will go towards humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The deal was criticized by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

In a tweet, he said: “I am told Shell discreetly bought some Russian oil yesterday. One question to @Shell: doesn’t Russian oil smell (of) Ukrainian blood for you?”,