Zeebrugge, Belgium, After almost 30 hours of blockade in the Zeebrugge gas terminal, Greenpeace Belgium activists have been removed and arrested. The Greenpeace ship Witness has been towed away by authorities. The liquified gas tanker Arctic Voyager, which was approaching the Zeebrugge terminal, turned back to sea as activists were still blocking the terminal entrance. At least one other tanker headed for Zeebrugge seems to have changed course as a result of the action.[1] Activists blocked the entrance to this key European entry point for liquified gas from Russia and the US, in order to denounce Europe's dependence on gas.
From the Witness, Lisa Göldner, Fossil Fuel Campaigner, Greenpeace Germany said: "By ending this action, law enforcement is allowing major polluting industries to continue business as usual. It's fossil fuel companies, and their supporters, who should be held to account. But we won't give up. Our dependence on fossil gas from Russia and the US leaves the EU vulnerable to political blackmail, while worsening extreme weather events and pollution. Today's action may be over but our campaign against fossil gas and for the EU's energy sovereignty through renewables will continue until the EU commits to end gas imports and phase out fossil gas."
After 24 hours of blockade, more than 40 activists were still blocking the terminal onboard Greenpeace's sailing boat the Witness, kayaks and liferafts – and determined to stay despite the cold, humidity and lack of sleep. The police and military took several hours to dismantle the blockade and X activists are now arrested.
As the EU discusses additional sanctions against Russia including a ban on Russian liquified gas imports, Greenpeace Belgium is calling on the EU and national governments to ban Russian liquified gas as part of their 19th sanctions package, with the aim of ending Russian gas imports completely. At the same time, they must halt new supply contracts for liquified gas from the US and commit to a fossil gas phase-out by 2035.
