Greenpeace Activists Try to Block Ship Transporting Palm Oil
Greenpeace activists are currently demonstrating against the transport of palm oil to a Neste Oil refinery near Porvoo. According to Jarmo Honkavaara, executive vice-president of Neste Oil, protestors aboard a few rubber boats are trying to block a ship carrying 9,000 tonnes of palm oil from reaching the company’s Kilpilahti refinery.
Greenpeace communications director, Juha Aromaa, said about 20 environmental activists are demonstrating against the transport of palm oil to Neste Oil’s refinery.
Police and the coastguard are at the scene. Neste Oil says no protesters are at the refinery itself.
Greenpeace is calling for Neste Oil to stop using palm oil in diesel production. The organisation says palm oil use destroys rainforests in Asia and results in greenhouse gas emissions.
Honkavaara said the company has discussed the issue of palm oil with Greenpeace for quite some time. He said that both sides agree that measures should be taken to protect the environment. He added that Neste Oil has acted in the most responsible manner possible.
The tanker is currently anchored and waiting near the Emäsalo pilot station. It was on its way from Rotterdam.
