Orkney Elected Members Appeal for More Action on Russian-owned Shipping

Orkney Islands Council Elected Members have today (1 March 2022) written to Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to appeal for immediate further action to limit the activity of state-owned Russian vessels in UK waters.

The letter was actioned by North Isles Councillor Heather Woodbridge - who in 2020 became the youngest ever Councillor to be elected to Orkney Islands Council.

In the letter, Elected Members state that; “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condemn the military action by Russia at this time. Like countless others watching the invasion unfold on the news, from a position of safety, we are deeply moved and appeal for your urgency in introducing sanctions on Russian activity in the UK.”

This week saw the Orkney community come together with local politicians and the council to raise concerns with the UK Government around the imminent arrival of the the NS Champion, as Russian state-owned oil tanker, at the Flotta Oil Terminal.

This led to Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, issuing as directive to all UK ports to deny access to Russian owned vessels – which immediately led to the cancellation of the visit of the NS Champion.

The Council has now urged the UK Government to formally extend sanctions to modify the obligations of what’s known as the ‘Open Port Duty’ – thereby bringing the directive from Grant Shapps into law.

Councillor Woodbridge said: “I am pleased to have received unanimous support from every one of my of Councillor colleagues for my letter to the Foreign Secretary. From an elected membership of politically independent individuals, this is a strong position of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and the condemnation of military action by Russia.

“Although there will be no visit from the Sovcomflot vessel NS Champion to Scapa Flow on Wednesday this week, the legal status of introducing sanctions must be addressed immediately. This letter, although a small voice in the grand scheme, will further call for legal implementation of those sanctions - we can all make small lights against the darkness of what is happening in Ukraine.”

A copy of the letter is available at https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=5151