EMEA News
Gibraltar Clarifies LNG Bunkering Plans as Being an Offshore Activity
Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG) has clarified that its plans for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering mean it will not be taking place onshore, but rather by an offshore LNG bunkering vessel, the Gibraltar Chronicle reports.
"This means that LNG bunkering facilities will be immediately available; Gibraltar has the capacity and trained professional staff to be able to conduct these operations safely and securely," the government said.
Prior to the latest announcement, the Gibraltar Social Democrat (GSD) opposition party had accused the government of combining its LNG plans in with an existing dual-fuel power plant without making thorough safety assessments of LNG storage first.
In response, the Gibraltar government has accused the GSD of being "alarmist" in its opposition of bringing LNG bunkering to Gibraltar.
HMGoG now says it has selected a design by Royal Dutch Shell Plc (Shell) for the new LNG power station, and it has published the "undistorted and unedited" report on the facility and its bunkering plans.
"This design has been assessed by HSL, a leading, independent risk assessor trusted by UK industry, government and professional bodies, and Lloyd's Register, who have also approved Shell's design," the government said.
The report is said to have been provided in order to inform the public and quell resistance for the plan from the GSD.
"The Opposition called on the Government to publish the safety reports and we have done so. The reports show that there is no cause for concern," said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
Earlier this month, as part of the longstanding feud with the government over LNG bunkering in Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Social Democrat (GSD) opposition party again accused the government of being unclear over its plans for a proposed LNG storage and bunkering facility.
