Australia will turn back a ship that was due to collect alumina after the federal government imposed a ban on exporting the material to Russia.
The immediate ban came into effect on Saturday night on Australian exports of alumina and aluminium ores to Russia as President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukrainxjmtzywe enters its fourth week.
Russia relies on Australia for nearly 20 per cent of its alumina needs, which it uses to make aluminium, one of its key exports and a critical part of its weapons industry.
“Late last week it came to our attention that there was a ship that was due to dock in Australia this week to collect a load of alumina bound for Russia,” Scott Morrison told reporters on Sunday.
“That boat is not going to Russia with our alumina. Last night we put dissensions in place that will prevent that from occurring.”
