Greenpeace Activists Block INEOS Gas Tanker at Forth Road Bridge

Scotland’s iconic Forth Road Bridge, located near Edinburgh, is currently closed as Greenpeace activists stage a protest to block an inbound INEOS gas tanker. The demonstration coincides with the visit of Donald Trump to Scotland and aims to raise awareness about the ongoing negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty.

Police Scotland has advised motorists to avoid the area as they respond to reports of the protest that began around 1:00 p.m. local time.

According to Greenpeace, 10 skilled climbers descended from beneath the bridge’s service walkway. The Forth Road Bridge spans nearly 2.5 kilometers over the Firth of Forth, with the roadway suspended approximately 50 meters above the water. The protestors are strategically positioned at 20-meter intervals, hanging about 25 meters below the bridge.

The activists unveiled large banners reading “Plastics Treaty Now” to draw attention to their cause. Greenpeace has deployed a rescue team on the bridge and a boat team in the river below to support the protestors who plan to remain suspended for the next 24 hours.

INEOS image showing one of its tankers with the Forth Bridge (INEOS)

The INEOS Independence, a specialized gas carrier registered in Malta, was forced to divert to the anchorage due to the protest. The vessel, arriving from the Houston, Texas area, is carrying 27,500 cubic meters of ethane destined for the company’s plant at Grangemouth. INEOS, the UK’s largest plastics manufacturer, produces millions of nurdles daily, equivalent to 60 million plastic bottles.

“Plastic pollution has become a critical issue, contaminating our environment and endangering marine life,” stated Amy Cameron, Programme Director at Greenpeace UK. “The Global Plastics Treaty presents a unique opportunity to address this crisis effectively.”

Greenpeace is advocating for a significant reduction in global plastic production by 2040 and urges the exclusion of lobbyists from fossil fuel companies from the treaty negotiations. The organization alleges that plastics producers, including INEOS, have deployed numerous lobbyists to influence the talks.

At present, authorities are in dialogue with the protestors, and a RNLI boat has been dispatched to oversee safety on the river.