WHAT SANCTIONS? PORT OF IMMINGHAM STILL HAPPY TO DO BUSINESS WITH PUTIN'S RUSSIA

 

MV Crystalia - supplying a UK power station with coal from Russia (photo: Vesselfinder)

A SHIP laden with Russian coal is now understood to be at anchor in Immingham.

Despite dismay that ABP's continued trade with Putin is helping to finance his attacks on Ukraine, it is business as usual for the port-operating company.

MV Crystalia is not a Russian ship - she was built eight years ago in China and is owned by a Greek shipping company - but she carries Russian cargo.

She departed Ust-Luga on April 12 and reached UK waters later that month before spending several days at anchor off Withernsea on the Yorkshire coast before sneaking her way into the Humber on Monday, a bank holiday.

It is not yet known if the coal - thought to be 65,000 tonnes in total - has yet been unloaded, nor when MV Crystalia will be returning to Russia.

The controversial cargo is reported to be destined for Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Nottinghamshire.

The Grimsby News says: ABP brings shame not just  to its own reputation but also that of Immingham and the UK by its willingness to continue accepting goods from Russia. Has it not heard of sanctions? Do its managers not have a conscience? Many people, including its own staff, will feel badly let down.