Ukraine conflict: Tanker carrying Russian oil diverted from Wales

An oil tanker carrying Russian cargo which is scheduled to dock in Wales has been diverted.

It comes as Adam Price has called for no Russian oil to enter Welsh ports while "innocent blood is being shed in Ukraine".

Mark Drakeford backed the call made by the Plaid Cymru leader during First Minister's Questions on Tuesday.

The tanker, Louie, was due to arrive at Milford Haven on Friday from the oil-loading port of Primorsk, Russia.

But shipping data shows its destination has been updated to Antwerp, Belgium, according to Vessel Finder.

The request to bar any Russian flagged or controlled vessels is among a series of economic sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote to ports on Monday, telling them to block access to Russian "flagged, registered, owned, controlled, chartered or operated vessels".

However, on Tuesday Mike Ryan, harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, said: "The DfT have today confirmed that UK government sanctions do not apply to cargo or to vessels purely because they are coming from Russia.

"We continue to work with DfT in following UK government direction," he added.

Mr Price said ships were using flags of convenience, "in this case the Marshall Islands", to get around the UK embargo.

The first minister added that "attempts would be made to try and subvert" laws, and that the UK government should act quickly to prevent "loopholes".

One oil tanker, Pluto, had already docked at Milford Haven, in Pembrokeshire, on Saturday, before Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote to the ports.

"We understand and share the strength of feeling around Russian-connected vessels entering the Port of Milford Haven, particularly as our town has strong links with Ukraine in its twinning with the city of Uman," said Mr Ryan.

"However, we do not have the power to unilaterally apply sanctions to a vessel bound for our port."

Mr Ryan added: "The determination of whether a vessel falls within this definition is not simple, but we are keen to ensure that the sanctions from the UK government are applied here in Milford Haven.

"The Department for Transport (DfT) will be supporting us and other UK ports to identify vessels which they believe should not be serviced."

Milford Haven is the UK's largest energy port, handling tanker deliveries to local oil and gas refineries. It serves Valero Refinery, one of the largest manufacturers of fuels in north-west Europe. The UK imports 6% of its crude oil from Russia.

"The message is clear: Russian vessels are not welcome at UK ports," said local Conservative member of the Senedd, Paul Davies.

"The UK transport secretary has been very clear. UK ports should not provide access to Russian vessels and further sanctions are being developed," he added.

"I welcome this action as part of the package of measures to restrict Russian trade and hold Putin's government to account for its disgraceful attack on Ukraine."

Both Pluto and Louie sail under the flag of the Marshall Islands, but carry cargo from the Russian oil-loading port of Primorsk. 

The Port of Milford Haven lists the Pluto as being berthed on the Valero dock since the evening of 26 February. It is scheduled to leave at 09:06 GMT on Wednesday.

Its next destination, according to Vessel Finder, is Derry in Northern Ireland.