Fleet operators who have ordered Volkswagen Group vehicles are waiting to learn if deliveries will be affected after Greenpeace activists boarded a ship bringing cars to the UK earlier today (September 21).

More than 40 volunteers also scaled the fences at Sheerness port in Kent – the intended destination of the ship – and gained access to the vehicle park.

A member of the environmental action group, Janet Barker, claimed they were seizing Volkswagen’s diesel cars to “stop them harming people’s health and the environment”.

However, of the 1,284 cars on the ship less than half (573 cars) were diesel. The majority were petrol (674) and hybrid (37).  

A Volkswagen spokesman said: “We are aware of a protest this morning at the Sheerness port in Kent. The ship contains a variety of Volkswagen Group vehicles, including petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models. The diesel vehicles, which are the subject of the protest, meet strict Euro 6 standards.”

The situation is in progress but it is believed that the police are now on the scene to encourage the protesters to leave the port.

What damage has been done to the vehicles, and any potential impact on deliveries, is not yet known.