Palm oil blockade's end
© Greenpeace / Christian Aslund
This is actually from an email Sue sent yesterday from on board the Rainbow Warrior. I think it gives a good wrap up of their palm oil tanker blockade, and she was nice enough to let me post it:
We have now moved away from the wharf after being forced out of the way by tugs while the [palm oil tanker] Westama crept out of its berth.You would have seen the press release from this morning stating that our blockade of the Westama is now over. The Westama tried to leave last night at midnight but due to our proximity it was deemed unsafe for it to proceed. We were served with an official notice to leave and the shipping agent had kindly ordered a pilot for us - who came on board around 11pm. We kindly declined the pilot's services and sent him off happily with a "Damming Crew" T-shirt, and continued to hold position. The tugs didn't turn up.
However we woke this morning to news saying that the Westama would be leaving at 8am and using three tugs to get it out. We decided to ease the stern anchor lines to bring the stern around towards the Westama so instead of lying parallel we were perpendicular and quite close. We then let out the bow anchor a bit more to get even closer. In this position it was considered unsafe for the Westama to maneuver and Mike informed the captain of the Westama, who agreed but by that time the pilot was in control of their ship.They started trying to leave 7.30 am. When it was clear that they could not get the Westama out without directly contacting with the Rainbow Warrior they bought a tug into place to push us out of the way. They basically cushioned the tug between us and the Westama as it was pulled out by another tug. We were at times very close to the Westama - not quite shaking hands with the crew - but close. The Westama steamed off around 10.30am and went to anchor. the crew were giving us the thumbs up, smiled and waved as they left.
High level emergency meetingMeanwhile, back in Jakarta the political team were working to make the most of what we are doing to push decision makers into committing to a moratorium on deforestation and peatland conversion. We know that we certainly got high level attention when we were informed that the President of Indonesia called an emergency meeting to discuss our moratorium demands and our action. Apparently the rumour was that we had blocked all the shipping in the port of Dumai (what one little ship can do hey).
We are expecting a call from the President's office regarding our demands - but probably not over the weekend. We will update you on this as news comes in. We also have the interest of the minister of forests, who will meet with the political team on Tuesday to discuss the moratorium.
Thanks and next stepsThe Captain and crew did an amazing job putting the warrior into the blocking position and keeping it there - thanks - a very smooth and calm operation! We have been on the front page of the main Raiu newspaper 5 days in a row - with the chief of police coming out saying that Greenpeace's activities in the FDC are all legal and ok and that he will look into what Greenpeace is doing in Dumai.
We have not yet been cleared to leave but will let you know.
Although our blockade is over, there is still lots going on for the team - the forest defenders camp is still open for media visits in the week or so prior to the Bali meeting.
that's all for now.
regards
sue
Comments
Hello Greenpeace, I sent a letter (see below) to Unilever, re their use of unsustainable palm Oil. I am forwarding their reply. Can you verify that this is their true position? Should they be attacked, if it is a true position?
To: Konsumen, Suara
Subject: Palm Oil
Dear Sir/Ms.,
Please can you send me documentation showing that Palm Oil used by Unilever is from sustainable sources which have not resulted in increased greenhouse gas emissions, the loss of tropical rainforest, the destruction (whether intended or not)of wildlife, or the displacement of indigenous tribespeople.
Until I receive such documentation I will be unable to buy your products as I will be unable to reconcile purchases with my conscience. I will also be informing as many people as I can of how much potential for evil there is in buying your products. People must not be duped by the unethical behaviour of corporations, they must have a choice to buy ethically. Since you do not label which products use palm oil the public is not informed. Therefore ALL Unilever products will now be off my supermarket shopping list.
Thankyou for taking the time to read my email,
Yours sincerely,
Letter from Unilever:
Thankyou for your e-mail of today, which was received by our Indonesian business, and forwarded to me in Australia. From your e-mail address, we have assumed you are based in Australia. The matter of palm oil plantations and their impact on rainforest biodiversity in South East Asia is something we take very seriously.
Whilst Unilever does not own any Palm Oil plantations in the regions of S.E. Asia which are in the vicinity of HCVF (High Conservation Value Forests) as a major user of palm oil, we do take responsibility in driving towards sustainable palm oil sourcing from the Asian regions. To this end, in conjunction with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) we established the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) which has as its charter to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil. I encourage you to visit the RSPO site (http://www.rspo.org/ ) which details progress to date in moving towards being able to source sustainable palm oil. Unilever still plays a major role within the RSPO, with the current chairmanship of the organisation being held by Unilever person.
In 2005, the Roundtable published its Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production, which were tested and validated by a group of companies that have volunteered to take part in a two-year pilot.
As you may be aware, there is no certifiable sustainable palm oil yet available on the world market, however through the works in particular of the RSPO, Unilever is at the forefront of leading developments in this area, and waits with eager anticipation the availability of certifiable sustainable palm oil. This is expected during 2008, following ratification of the Principles and Criteria at the RSPO meeting later this month in Malaysia.
In relation the labelling of palm oil as an ingredient, as you may be aware, there is currently an application before FSANZ (the Government body governing Food Regulations for New Zealand and Australia) to label Palm Oil. Whilst we do not currently label palm oil where it may be an ingredient, we will await the outcome of the FSANZ process, and abide by any regulatory change that may result.
Thank you for making contact with me today on this important matter, and please rest assured that driving the palm oil sustainability agenda is a priority for Unilever, both locally and globally,
Yours sincerely,
Nick Goddard
Corporate Relations and Communications Director
Unilever Australasia
20-22 Cambridge Street
EPPING NSW 2121
www.unilever.com.au
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Posted by: Linda Zibell | November 19, 2007 5:19 AM
I think this is a good start, negotiation is more appropriate, strategic and energetic approach to change things better. Good Luck Green Peace and Unilever!
Posted by: Ramzan Rafeek | November 21, 2007 9:01 AM
After reading the story of the 'palm oil tanker blockade', and then the letter from 'Nick Goddard Corporate Relations and Communications Director Unilever Australasia', I have become even more confident in my belief that all the world's problems can be solved if a common factor is addressed. That problem is human population. As long as the demand for foods and land is what it is, there will always be destruction of rainforests and other living species and Greenpeace as long as it exists will continue to fight and hopefully win small battles as the world losses the war.
Companies like Unilever all use buzz words like sustainability, but there is no such thing as sustainability at the worlds' present population.
If a huge company like Unilever is able to monopolize the palm oil supply (an attainable goal given the unfair practices that our global governments allow), then they could use only 'sustainable palm oil sourcing', but this will only force other unrelated companies or other poor starving individuals to cut down rainforests.
Greenpeace and Unilever should get together (with others) and start working on the real problem. It is time to stop ignoring this controversial subject.
Posted by: Terry Ryder | December 23, 2007 4:12 PM