Shell’s Legal Offensive: $2.1 Million Lawsuit Launched Against Greenpeace
Shell has initiated legal action against Greenpeace, seeking $2.1 million in damages following an incident where Greenpeace activists boarded Shell’s oil production vessel in transit at sea earlier this year. The legal claim was filed in London’s High Court, with Shell asserting that the boarding of the moving vessel was “unlawful and extremely dangerous.” The vessel, en route to the Penguins oil and gas field in the North Sea, was targeted by Greenpeace activists near the Canary Islands and continued its journey to Norway.
While Shell confirmed the legal proceedings, it refrained from commenting on the specific claim amounts. The damages Shell is seeking cover expenses related to shipping delays, additional security measures, and legal costs. Greenpeace revealed that Shell offered to reduce its damage claim to $1.4 million if Greenpeace activists agreed not to protest at any of Shell’s oil and gas infrastructure at sea or in port. However, Greenpeace insisted on compliance with a 2021 Dutch court order mandating Shell to reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030.
This legal dispute, described by Greenpeace as one of the biggest threats in its more than 50-year history, underscores the tension between environmental activism and corporate interests. Talks between Shell and Greenpeace have taken place since the legal filing, but negotiations ended in early November. Greenpeace is now awaiting further court documents from Shell before considering its next steps, including potential measures to halt the case’s progression.
