A LARGE tanker has docked at Tranmere Oil Terminal on the River Mersey after sailing from Russia.

STI Fulham sailed out of the Russian port of Vysotsk on March 29 and was due to arive on Merseyside on Wednesday, April 6.

It finally sailed into the Mersey on Friday (April 8) afternoon.

On March 1 the UK Government banned all Russian-owned vessels from entering British ports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

STI Fulham is sailing under the Marshall Islands so the goverment's sanctions have not been broken.

On March 4, the owner of the Tranmere terminal, Essar Oil (UK), issued a statement saying it was “fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK Government with regards to Russia-related entities”.

A spokesperson said: "Essar remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and is fully complying with the statutory framework implemented by the UK government with regards to Russia-related entities.

"Earlier this week, we turned away two cargos of non-Russian origin crude oil which would have been delivered in Russian-flagged tankers.

"For a number of days, we have been working urgently to find alternative sources of diesel while simultaneously ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the North West of England.

"Essar will continue to comply fully and will respond promptly to any changes the UK government may make to the statutory framework of sanctions."