Greenpeace protestors have boarded a ship destined for the North Sea as it made its way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Activists have targeted Boskalis' White Marlin vessel, which is transporting the Penguins FPSO from China to Europe.
The environmental campaign group said four activists had climbed on to the ship transporting Shell’s floating production storage and offloading unit, or FPSO, on Tuesday morning just north of the Canary Islands, as it was in transit to the Penguins oil and gasfield, north-east of the Shetland Islands.
Video footage showed the protesters approaching the giant FPSO in small boats and rough seas before hauling themselves on to the deck using ropes and unfurling a banner with the message, “Stop Drilling. Start Paying.”
A Shell spokesman told Energy Voice: "These actions are causing real safety concerns, with a number of people boarding a moving vessel in rough conditions.
"We respect the right of everyone to express their point of view. It's essential they do that with their safety and that of others in mind."