Greenpeace Activists Climb a Car Carrier

Greenpeace Environmental protesters from Greenpeace have boarded K Lines car carrier Elbe Highway transporting Volkswagen cars from Germany earlier today. The protesters climbed on board the ship at Sheerness in Kent in an attempt to prevent the cars from being unloaded and demanding that they are returned to Germany. 25 Greenpeace volunteers in kayaks and boats surrounded a 23,000 tonne ship attempting to block Volkswagen cars entering the UK. They drew up alongside the huge car carrier miles out at sea at 9am today and 2 are now hanging from the 27-metre-high unloading door. They won’t give up until VW commits to send it’s toxic cars away from the UK and ditch diesel for good, Greenpeace said. Simultaneously, 41 volunteers have scaled the fences at Sheerness port in Kent – the intended destination of the ship –and gained access to the vehicle park, where several thousand VW diesel cars are awaiting distribution to suppliers. These brave volunteers are attempting to confiscate car keys of thousands of diesel cars. They are also lifting the bonnets and labelling the engines with messages from 8,000 Greenpeace supporters, including many car owners, calling on VW to ditch diesel, Greenpeace added. The protest is taking place within the environmental organizations DitchDiesel campaign. Diesel vehicles cause 80% of air pollution on UK streets yet Volkswagen CEO says diesel has a great future, the organization pointed out. Based on the ships latest AIS data, it has moved from the Sheerness and is now off Margate. World Maritime News Staff; Image Courtesy: Greenpeace