The Ripple Effect

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: It was a win, but more battles loom. Photo Nicky Newman / Graphic Spike

The seismic vessel Amazon Warrior has left South Africa after an urgent high court bid was upheld, and boosted by widespread pressure from protestors and Shell service station boycotts. Grahamstown High Court Judge Gerald Bloem granted a provisional interdict by activists on 28 December. Shell has suspended its exploration, announcing that they had terminated their contract with Shearwater, whose vessel the Amazon Warrior survey vessel has stopped its seismic operation and is steaming towards Los Palmas, Grand Canaria, according to www.marinetraffic.com.

"As legal hearings about the survey are not yet completed and the weather window for conducting the work is limited, Shell has decided to terminate the current contract for the survey vessel early, in agreement with the contractor," a Shell spokesperson said yesterday. "We are looking ahead to a resolution of the outstanding legal case and are considering best way forward for the license."

But the fight is not over after the Petroleum Agency of South granted another Reconnaissance Permit in November last year granting access to Australian company https://www.searcherseismic.com/ to explore the seafloor off the Western Cape and Southern Cape. But for now, let's enjoy this victory for what it is. Here's a gallery taken from numerous protests from around South Africa.

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