An oil tanker has docked at Tranmere Oil Terminal on the Mersey after travelling from the Russian Port of Vysotsk. Tony McDonough reports

A large oil tanker that left the Russian port of Vysotsk on March 29 has docked at Tranmere Oil Terminal on the Mersey.

STI Fulham was originally due to arrive in Tranmere on Wednesday, April 6 but didn’t sail into the Mersey until Friday afternoon. It is not clear what it is carrying but the boat has been observed as being quite low in the water which suggests it is carrying some sort of cargo.

On March 1 the UK Government banned all Russian-owned vessels from entering British ports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. STI Fulham is sailing under the Marshall Islands flag so technically no sanctions are being broken.

Back on March 4, the owner of the Tranmere terminal, Essar Oil (UK), issued a statement saying it was “fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK Government with regards to Russia-related entities”.

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It claimed to have already turned away vessels that week and added: “Essar will continue to comply fully and will respond promptly to any changes the UK Government may make to the statutory framework of sanctions.”

LBN has contacted Essar Oil (UK), which operates the huge Stanlow oil refinery at Ellesmere Port, for comment on the status of STI Fulham. Dockside workers are within their right to refuse to work on or deny entry to ships.

A UK Government spokesperson told the Liverpool Echo: “UK Government ministers have signed legislation banning all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering British ports.

“It is mandatory for all ports and harbours to follow this legislation and the Government will support all ports in exercising their responsibilities. We will continue to isolate Putin through every means as he carries out these illegal and inhumane action.”