Shell files $21 million lawsuit against Greenpeace over oil vessel boarding
Shell sues Greenpeace for $21 million over activists trespassing on their oil vessel during transit at sea
Shell is taking legal action against Greenpeace, seeking $2.1 million in damages. The lawsuit follows an incident earlier this year in which Greenpeace activists boarded one of Shell's oil production vessels while it was in transit at sea. The claim was filed in the High Court in London, and the activists boarded the vessel near the Canary Islands before traveling with it to Norway.
Shell has confirmed in an email to Reuters that it is currently involved in legal proceedings regarding the incident. However, the company has chosen not to disclose any information regarding the amount being claimed. According to a Shell spokesperson, the act of boarding a moving vessel at sea is considered both unlawful and highly hazardous.
"The spokesperson affirmed our absolute respect for the fundamental right to protest, emphasizing the utmost importance of conducting such protests safely and within the bounds of the law."
"The vessel was en route to the Penguins oil and gas field in the North Sea, a location that has not yet commenced production."
Four Greenpeace activists utilized ropes to climb onto the vessel from inflatable boats that pursued the ship at a considerable velocity. Greenpeace has a long history of conducting sea protests against oil, gas, or mining infrastructure.
The damages Shell is seeking include costs related to shipping delays and expenses for extra security, as well as legal costs, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Greenpeace climate activists on board Shell's oil platform en route to a major oil field with message: 'Stop Drilling. Start Paying.'
Daphne Christelis/Greenpeace
In a significant development, Greenpeace activists have successfully scaled a Shell oil platform in the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. This daring act comes at a time when the company has just announced record-breaking profits. Greenpeace, in a statement, acknowledges that this claim poses a major challenge to the organization's ability to campaign, marking one of the most substantial legal threats in its illustrious 50-year history.
Shell proposed decreasing its damage claim to $1.4 million on the condition that Greenpeace activists abstain from future protests at any of Shell's offshore or onshore oil and gas facilities. In response, Greenpeace stated that they would only consider this arrangement if Shell adheres to a 2021 Dutch court ruling, which mandates a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030. Shell, however, has lodged an appeal against the court's decision.
According to the document seen by Reuters, there is an unresolved claim for additional damages of approximately $6.5 million by Fluor, one of Shell's contractors. A request for comment from Fluor has not yet been responded to. Greenpeace stated that negotiations between Shell and themselves have taken place since the case was filed, but talks concluded in early November. Greenpeace is now anticipating Shell to submit additional court documents.
Greenpeace said it will then consider its next steps, including ways to stop the case from proceeding.
