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Mongstad, Norway - Greenpeace Nordic's blockade of a tanker transporting toxic waste water from the Norwegian oil industry to Denmark was ended after 69 hours for safety reasons when activists decided to abandon ship due to deteriorating weather conditions.
It was Sunday night when four Greenpeace Nordic activists cracked down on a tanker that was loading toxic sewage for export to Denmark. The activists used divers and magnets to attach a small sailing boat to the hull of the tanker Bothnia, which the Norwegian state oil company Equinor uses to transport toxic waste water to Denmark.
After successfully blocking the loading and export of toxic waste for three days, activists sailed away on Wednesday afternoon as inclement weather approached with high winds and thunderstorms.
“We spent nearly three days and three nights uncovering Equinor's illegal and irresponsible export of toxic waste. This poison from the Norwegian oil industry is killing the oceans in Denmark and it has to stop. We are canceling this action for safety reasons due to the onset of truly inclement weather, but that does not mean the fight against Equinor's toxic oil water is over and we will request a meeting with Equinor management." said Norwegian activist Amanda Louise Helle.
It is estimated that up to 150.000 tonnes of toxic water is exported to Denmark each year, where it is treated before being discharged into Danish waters. However, current treatment is not able to remove all harmful, toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, and local fishermen have reported a dramatic decline in fish stocks in the areas where the wastewater is discharged. Leading Norwegian legal experts say the export is in violation of the Basel Convention, a treaty regulating the export of hazardous waste.
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Photos: Greenpeace
