LONDON — Dock workers in Britain are taking a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with ports in the country refusing to unload Russian oil and gas.

The U.K. has imposed strict sanctions on Russian vessels so that they aren’t allowed to dock in British ports. However, a loophole means that Russian goods and energy can still be transported into the country using foreign ships — there is currently no blockade on oil and gas from Russia.

Workers at the ports appear to be taking control of their affairs.

The Stanlow refinery is managed by Essar Group in north-west England. said a German-flagged vessel had been given approval to berthAt the Tranmere Oil Terminal, on the River Mersey. Sharon Graham, general secretary U.K. union Unite said however that she was not aware of any members. will “under no circumstances unload any Russian oil regardless of the nationality of the vessel which delivers it.”

In a Sunday tweet, she said that “I am proud of @unitetheunion’s members taking an principled stand in order to stop Russian oil from coming to our ports.”

“But it’s appalling that they were put in this situation by @GOVUK which continues to lag on sanctions.”

Due to sanctions, two Russian ships were stopped from docking in Kent, southeast England. Grain LNG staff had voiced their dismay at not being able to load the ships’ cargoes.

Matt Lay (head of energy at Unison), who represents workers at Kent’s National Grid terminal said that “the workers at National Grid terminal don’t want to touch cargo because of the tragedy unfolding” in Ukraine. said earlier this week.

“These personnel are determined and will show support to the Ukrainian people as well as uphold sanctions against Russia.”

The Boris Vilkitsky ship, carrying a gas consignment, docked in Montoir-de-Bretagne France’s port on Saturday, after it was refused entry into Britain.

Greenpeace claimed in a statement it confronted the tanker with an inflatable at sea. with the activists displaying a banner reading “Fossil Fuels War”It arrived in France.

Dock workers also appear to be taking a stand in the Netherlands where Russian ships have not been banned. Workers are apparently preparing to face a backlash from shipping companies and other legal representatives.

Niek Stam is a spokesperson of FNV Havens in the Netherlands. told journalism unit Source Material:

Sky News was told by a spokesperson from the British government that all ports must follow laws banning Russian vessels.

The ministers added that the U.K. was exploring ways to reduce Russia’s imports.

The Europeans should continue to press Europe for plans to reduce their dependency on Russian gas, they said.