White-Marlin Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On December 10, 2024, a significant settlement was announced, concluding a high-profile legal battle initiated in 2023 involving Shell UK Ltd. and Greenpeace. This landmark case stemmed from a protest conducted by Greenpeace activists, who boarded the 'White Marlin' vessel while it was transporting a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit en route to the Penguins oilfield in the North Sea. The protest took place when four activists first boarded the ship on January 31, 2023, with two additional activists joining them on February 6. They remained onboard until February 12, when the ship reached Norway. Throughout the entire duration of the occupation, the activists did not inflict any damage on the vessel or the FPSO, nor did they cause any delays to its journey. Their actions aimed to draw attention to Shell UK's controversial redevelopment plans for the Penguins Field and to highlight their stance against Shell's role in climate change. In response, Shell UK sought urgent interim injunctions in February 2023 and subsequently filed a damages claim in the Admiralty Court totaling nearly £800,000 (approximately $1 million). The company’s primary allegations centered on unlawful means conspiracy, citing trespass to goods and claimed breaches of international maritime safety laws, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). In addition, they referenced potential violations under the Maltese Criminal Code. Greenpeace addressed these claims, arguing that the alleged violations did not constitute lawful acts under the context of unlawful means conspiracy. They emphasized their rights to freedom of expression and assembly as protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case also brought to light important discussions about the balance between legal accountability and fundamental human rights. The resolution of this case led to Greenpeace making a charitable donation of $382,650 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), marking a notable conclusion to a lengthy legal dispute. The Greenpeace defense team included notable figures such as Naomi Hart, Richard Lord KC from Brick Court Chambers, and others from leading law firms. This agreement not only resolves the intense litigation but also showcases the ongoing tensions between environmental activism and corporate interests within the maritime sector.

After an unprecedented 13-day demonstration, Greenpeace activists ended their occupation of the 'White Marlin' on February 12 in Haugesund, Norway. This protest marked the longest time Greenpeace has occupied a moving oil platform, as confirmed by their UK organization. As the heavy-lift vessel approached the port, the protestors made one final statement by climbing the 410-foot flare boom of the FPSO, unfurling a banner that proclaimed "Stop drilling. Start paying." The arrival of the vessel was not without fanfare, as additional Greenpeace supporters made their presence known aboard the 26-foot sailboat, Tanker Tracker, circling the ship and showcasing their protest banners. A UK judge had previously issued an order for the activists to leave the vessel upon docking in Norway. The occupation began on January 31 when four protestors boarded the 'White Marlin' off the coast of Africa, covering about 2,150 nautical miles while occupying the Shell FPSO. Later, on February 6, two more activists joined them while the vessel was in the English Channel. Greenpeace specifically targeted this FPSO because it represents Shell’s first new manned vessel in the North Sea in three decades. This project is anticipated to yield up to 45,000 barrels of oil per day from the Penguins oil field, raising concerns among environmentalists regarding further exploration areas Shell could potentially open. Shell responded to the protests by seeking three injunctions in UK courts. Initially, they attempted to create an exclusion zone around the heavy-lift vessel during its journey north. Following the boarding of the additional protestors, the court imposed a second injunction, ordering all activists to disembark upon arrival in Norway. Furthermore, Shell has launched a legal claim valued at $120,000 against Greenpeace for alleged damages and increased security costs incurred due to the occupation. They are also requesting compensation for the unlawful installation of solar panels and a wind turbine set up by protestors to power their communications during the demonstration.

Greenpeace has intensified its protest activities against Shell's offshore oil drilling initiatives, prominently by occupying an FPSO unit currently being transported by the vessel 'White Marlin' to support Shell's operations in the North Sea. Despite court directives aimed at halting the demonstrations, Greenpeace activists remain in a standoff as the 'White Marlin' is anchored in the North Sea. Protesters are calling for Shell to cease its global expansion of oil and gas production, insisting the company must take accountability for exacerbating the climate crisis through taxation. The protest originated on January 31, 2023, off the coast of Africa, when Greenpeace activists utilized small boats to board the 'White Marlin', which is transporting a key FPSO destined to unlock eight new wells in the Penguins field located in the North Sea. Following the boarding, Boskalis, the vessel's operator, closely monitored the situation and remained in constant communication with Shell to determine the next steps. The 'White Marlin', initially headed to Havgesund with an estimated arrival on February 8, changed course and dropped anchor in the North Sea on February 7, positioning itself between Denmark and Scotland. In response to the protest, Shell sought legal intervention from the High Court in the UK, resulting in an injunction that required the four activists onboard to negotiate a safe disembarkation plan with the captain of the 'White Marlin'. Additionally, two support vessels, the UK-flagged 'Sea Beaver' and Greenpeace's Dutch-flagged 'Arctic Sunrise', along with their accompanying boats, were instructed to maintain a distance of 500 meters from the ship. In a surprising escalation, two new activists, Pascal Havez from France and Silja Zimmerman from Germany, joined the four existing protesters on February 6, utilizing the Greenpeace-chartered trimaran 'Merida' and small boats while the 'White Marlin' was sailing through the English Channel. These six activists have continued their protest aboard the FPSO, displaying messages urging Shell to “Stop Drilling. Start Paying.” Furthermore, they have erected a small wind turbine to power communications equipment, allowing them to share updates and videos from the scene. During a court hearing on February 7, Greenpeace faced the potential risk of penalties, including up to two years of imprisonment for protesters and fines if found in contempt of court. However, the judge issued a second order aimed at preventing any further activists from boarding the 'White Marlin' while instructing existing protestors to disembark quickly upon the vessel’s arrival in Norway. Shell emphasized its intention to prevent further dangerous actions rather than hinder the right to protest, highlighting concerns that the activists’ actions might jeopardize the safety of the crew onboard the 'White Marlin'.