Greenpeace Activists Block INEOS Tanker from Forth Bridge in Plastics Treaty Protest
Nov, 16 2025
On Friday, July 25, 2025, ten Greenpeace activists descended from the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland, hanging 82 feet above the Firth of Forth, to physically block the INEOS tanker INDEPENDENCE from reaching its destination. For 24 hours, they dangled in silence, banners reading PLASTICS TREATY NOW flapping in the wind, while a 27,500-cubic-meter cargo of fracked American ethane—bound for the Grangemouth petrochemical plant—sat idle offshore. It wasn’t chaos. It was calculated. And it worked.
Why This Bridge? Why This Tanker?
The Forth Road Bridge, opened in 1964 and still carrying thousands of daily commuters, isn’t just a landmark—it’s a chokepoint. At 50 meters above sea level, its clearance is just enough to let tankers pass under during high tide. That’s why Greenpeace chose it: timing mattered. The INEOS tanker INDEPENDENCE, registered in Malta and loaded in Houston on July 15, could only enter the Grangemouth port during narrow tidal windows. Block the window, and you block the entire shipment. For 24 hours, the tanker couldn’t move. The protest wasn’t symbolic—it was logistical.And the target? INEOS, owned by billionaire Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe. The company produces 30 to 35 billion plastic nurdles every day at its Grangemouth facility—enough raw material for 60 million plastic bottles. That’s not just production. That’s addiction. And Greenpeace says INEOS is actively sabotaging the Global Plastics Treaty, with hundreds of lobbyists deploying intimidation tactics at UN negotiations.
"A Dangerous Stunt"—Or a Necessary Disruption?
"Today’s Greenpeace stunt is dangerous, disruptive, and entirely counterproductive," declared INEOS in a statement released the same day. The company argued that its materials are essential—water pipes, medical devices, wind turbine blades, even the safety harnesses the protesters wore. "These aren’t luxury items," they insisted. "They’re essential to modern life."But Greenpeace’s Amy Cameron, Programme Director, fired back: "We’ve achieved what we set out to. By blocking INEOS, we’ve drawn global attention to the company’s bottomless appetite for plastic production, false solutions, and profit for its billionaire boss Jim Ratcliffe." She pointed out that INEOS has spent nearly a decade importing gas via tankers like the INDEPENDENCE—each one a mobile factory feeding the plastic machine.
What’s more, the protest wasn’t reckless. Activists trained for weeks. The Forth Road Bridge was closed by Police Scotland in advance—not because of the climbers, but because of safety protocols for any large-scale activity. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution monitored the river. No one was hurt. No vehicles were delayed. The disruption was targeted, not chaotic.
Timing: Trump, Treaty, and Tension
The protest landed on the same day Donald Trump arrived in Scotland for a private visit. Coincidence? Probably not. Greenpeace knew the world’s eyes would be on the UK. And with the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations set to begin on August 8, 2025, this was a countdown. Every day of delay gives INEOS more time to lobby, more time to pressure negotiators, more time to argue that plastic is inevitable.But the science says otherwise. The UN estimates that 11 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans every year. By 2040, that could triple. And INEOS is among the top 10 corporate contributors to that crisis. The treaty isn’t about banning plastic—it’s about ending single-use production, enforcing accountability, and forcing companies like INEOS to invest in real alternatives, not PR campaigns.
Arrests, Aftermath, and the Road Ahead
At 2:30 a.m. on July 26, the climbers began descending. They were met by Greenpeace support boats and taken to Port Edgar, where Police Scotland arrested all ten on suspicion of Culpable and Reckless Conduct. No names were released. Greenpeace says they’re prepared for the legal fight.Meanwhile, the INDEPENDENCE remained anchored. Its cargo? Still untouched. The next tidal window? Two days away. By then, the headlines had already done their job. Social media exploded. News outlets from Tokyo to Toronto ran the story. The Global Plastics Treaty negotiations? They’re now under sharper scrutiny.
What This Means for the Future
This protest wasn’t about shutting down industry. It was about forcing a reckoning. INEOS claims to be part of the solution. But if a company’s lobbying budget exceeds its R&D budget for biodegradable alternatives, is it really trying?What happened on the Forth Road Bridge is a blueprint. When diplomacy fails, direct action becomes the only language corporations understand. And if the Global Plastics Treaty fails because of corporate pressure, this won’t be the last time a bridge becomes a stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Greenpeace ensure the safety of the climbers during the protest?
Greenpeace activists underwent weeks of professional training in high-altitude abseiling and marine safety. The action was coordinated with Police Scotland, which closed the bridge in advance. A dedicated rescue team was stationed on the bridge, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution deployed a vessel to monitor the river. No injuries occurred, and all climbers descended voluntarily under controlled conditions.
Why target INEOS specifically, and not other plastic producers?
INEOS is the UK’s largest plastic manufacturer, producing 30–35 billion nurdles daily—equivalent to 60 million bottles. It’s also among the most aggressive opponents of the Global Plastics Treaty, reportedly deploying hundreds of lobbyists to intimidate negotiators. Greenpeace identifies INEOS as a key blocker to systemic change, making it a strategic focal point.
What is the Global Plastics Treaty, and why is it important?
The Global Plastics Treaty is a UN-led international agreement aiming to legally bind nations to reduce plastic production, eliminate single-use plastics, and hold corporations accountable for pollution. Negotiations are set to conclude in 2025. Without it, plastic production is projected to triple by 2040, overwhelming ecosystems and human health. INEOS’s lobbying efforts are seen as a major obstacle to its success.
Did the protest actually stop the delivery of ethane to Grangemouth?
Yes. The INDEPENDENCE tanker could only enter Grangemouth during specific high-tide windows. The 24-hour blockade prevented it from docking at the only viable time. The cargo remained offshore, and the next tidal window was two days later. While INEOS may have rescheduled, the protest delayed production and drew global attention to the supply chain.
Is this kind of protest legal in the UK?
While peaceful protest is protected under UK law, physically obstructing a navigable waterway or public infrastructure can lead to charges like Culpable and Reckless Conduct. Greenpeace anticipated this—activists were arrested after voluntarily descending. Legal defense teams are preparing to challenge the charges, arguing the action was a necessary civil disobedience to prevent greater environmental harm.
What happens next for the arrested activists?
The activists will appear in court in the coming weeks, likely facing fines or community service. Greenpeace has pledged full legal support. Beyond court, the group plans to escalate public pressure ahead of the August 8 treaty negotiations, including coordinated actions at INEOS facilities in Europe and the U.S. The goal: make corporate obstruction of the treaty politically costly.