A tanker carrying Russian oil has left Tranmere terminal after sparking a fierce response from union members.
The Seacod, which sails under a German flag, left Primorsk, one of Russia's biggest oil exportation hubs, on February 22 and arrived in Merseyside on Thursday, March 3, with its cargo destined for Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port.
The vessel was able to dock in Tranmere oil terminal thanks to a loophole in government sanctions banning all Russian owned, operated or chartered ships from UK ports thanks to the invasion of Ukraine.
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However the ban does not include ships from other nations carrying Russian cargo.
On Friday Unite the union, which represents a number of staff at Stanlow, declared its opposition to the loophole and said its members would not be involved in handling Russian cargo.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "Unite has today contacted Essar, who operate the Stanlow oil refinery, to inform the company that due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Unite workers at the facility will under no circumstances unload any Russian oil regardless of the nationality of the vessel which delivers it.
"Essar may believe that it is justifiable to transport Russian oil under a flag of convenience but Unite does not.
"Unite urges the transport secretary Grant Shapps to close this loophole immediately."
It was unclear whether the oil was removed from the ship ahead of Unite's comments or whether it had been transferred to Stanlow from the Tranmere terminal.
Essar Oil (UK) Ltd said last week: "Essar remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and is fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK government with regard to Russia-related entities.
"Earlier this week, we turned away two cargos of non-Russian origin crude oil which would have been delivered in Russian-flagged tankers.
"We can confirm that a German-flagged vessel was approved to berth at Tranmere Oil Terminal by the Port Authority on Thursday 3 March.
"This vessel set sail for Tranmere on 22 February, before the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent introduction of UK Government sanctions.
"For a number of days, we have been working urgently to find alternative sources of diesel while simultaneously ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the North West of England.
"Essar will continue to comply fully and will respond promptly to any changes the UK government may make to the statutory framework of sanctions."
The Seacod set sail on Sunday, heading north.
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