Anger as tanker suspected of carrying Russian-based petrol docks in Australia
Protesters are fuming after another tanker believed to be carrying Russian-based petrol docked in Australia, which they claim is helping to bankroll Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Victoria
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Another tanker suspected of carrying Russian-based petrol docked at an Australian port over the weekend as demands were made that Australian petroleum companies declare whether the fuel they sell to motorists includes Russian oil in the refining process.
On Saturday, pro-Ukraine demonstrators gathered near the Kurnell terminal at Port Botany to protest the arrival of the latest tanker, the Hafnia Lillesand, they say contains up to 20,000 tonnes of Russian-based fuels processed at the Jamnagar refinery in India as part of its cargo.
“Our protest this weekend at Kurnell sends a clear message – Australians will not stay silent while Russian war profits flow through our ports and into our petrol stations,” Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations chair Kateryna Argyrou said.
“This isn’t just oil – it’s blood money. Every litre of fuel containing Russian crude helps bankroll a war that has destroyed cities, shattered communities, and killed thousands of innocent civilians, including children. Australia should not be complicit.”
AFUO has written to all major Australian fuel brands to clarify the source of oil feedstock after the Herald Sun revealed mass petrol shipments to Australia since 2023 from several Indian refineries that use Russian crude had seen $1.85bn in taxes paid to Moscow to fund or offset the cost of its war against Ukraine.
AFUO, in a call supported by leading businessman Andrew Forrest, has demanded the Albanese government close the legal loophole that allows Russian-linked fuel into Australia from third-country refineries; to ban imports of refined fuel from refineries sourcing Russian crude and for all fuel retailers to disclose if they source fuel from refineries that use Russian crude.
Hobart-based industry analyst Mark Corrigan said on average Australia received a tanker load each week during 2024 from refineries known to use high volumes of Russian crude.
“The Hafnia Lillesand is just the latest in a flotilla of tankers bringing Russian-based petroleum to Australia,” Mr Corrigan said.
“At least 20,000 tonnes of this shipment is sourced from Russian crude.”
Canberra GP, Dr Graham Marning, paddled his kayak out to protest the tanker’s arrival.
“Why am I doing it? Because each shipment like this buys Putin hundreds of Shahed drones that terrorise Ukrainian cities,” Dr Marning said.
“Australians are appalled to hear where their fuel is coming from. We need more corporate leaders like Twiggy Forrest to force government and fuel importers into an ethical supply chain.”
Australia’s intake of fuel refined in India has increased significantly in recent years and the world’s largest refinery, at Jamnagar, uses up to 55 per cent Russian crude in its feedstock after striking a deal with Russian state oil firm Rosneft to take up to 500,000 barrels of crude per day, analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air states.
Another tanker with fuel from Jamnagar, the Front Pollux, is also scheduled to deliver 100,493 tonnes of diesel to Australia next week.
The European Union is currently considering sanctioning third-party refiners of Russian oil as part of a new sanctions package.
Originally published as Anger as tanker suspected of carrying Russian-based petrol docks in Australia
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