Grant Shapps tells UK ports to turn away Russian-linked ships

Grant Shapps today told UK ports to turn away Russian-linked ships saying they are ‘not welcome’.

The Transport Secretary acted after protests that a Moscow-owned tanker was due to dock in Orkney tomorrow. 

The NS Champion belongs to shipping company Sovcomflot, a firm that is majority owned by the Russian state, and Orkney Islands Council had said it is powerless to prevent it docking.

Mr Shapps said tonight he has written to all UK ports saying they should deny access to Russian flagged, registered or operated vessels.

He tweeted: ‘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.’  

Grant Shapps today told UK ports to turn away Russian-linked ships saying they are ‘not welcome’

The ban is the latest punishment to hit Vladimir Putin (pictured) after the invasion of Ukraine

In his letter to all UK ports, Mr Shapps said the maritime sector ‘must play our part’ in sanctioning Russia over Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

He wrote: ‘Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK Government has been clear there would be massive consequences and a severe cost for any Russian military incursion into Ukraine, and, in co-ordination with our international allies and partners, we are developing an unprecedented package of further sanctions.

‘The maritime sector is fundamental to international trade and we must play our part in restricting Russia’s economic interests and holding the Russian government to account.

‘In these circumstances the Department for Transport does not consider it appropriate for Russian vessels to continue to enter UK ports. From this point onwards, UK ports are asked not to provide access to any ship which they have reason to believe is: Owned, controlled, chartered, or operated by any person connected with Russia owned, controlled, chartered or operated by designated persons flying the Russian flag registered in Russia.

‘We will seek to support UK ports in identifying Russian ships within scope of the above and will communicate directly with relevant ports when we identify ships bound for UK ports who fall within scope of the above.

‘Further detailed sanctions against Russian shipping are being developed and further details will be shared very shortly.’  

Earlier, Nicola Sturgeon waded into the row saying allowing the tanker to dock would send the wrong message to the people of Ukraine.

‘Let me be blunt, I don’t want that tanker to dock in Orkney tomorrow, ‘ Ms Sturgeon told the media during a visit to Aberdeen.

She continued: ‘This is an issue that is reserved to the UK Government, this tanker is majority owned by a Russian government-controlled company.

‘It would go against, if not the letter, then certainly the spirit of the sanctions and I think it would send the wrong message to people in Ukraine and across the world right now.

‘It is a matter for the UK Government. I personally had discussions last night with Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Transport.

‘To be fair to him, he agreed with me about how unacceptable it would be for that tanker to dock as planned, and we’re continuing discussions with him and his officials over the course of today.

‘Hopefully we can find a way of stopping that happening.’

Earlier, Nicola Sturgeon waded into the row saying allowing the tanker to dock would send the wrong message to the people of Ukraine