EMEA News
Brexit Won't Change Gibraltar's First Class Support in Bunkering: Sanguinetti
The UK's decision to leave the EU will not change the importance of Gibraltar as a global port, or a world bunkering hub, Bob Sanguinetti, CEO and Captain of the Port, has told Ship & Bunker.
"Gibraltar's location and proximity to some of the world's busiest shipping lanes will clearly not change, and nor will its rock solid relationship with the international shipping community," he said in a statement released on Friday.
"Global trade remains as important as ever, and the Port of Gibraltar will continue providing first class support in bunkering and the full range of maritime services in keeping with its reputation. This will not change as a result of the referendum outcome."
As Ship & Bunker reported earlier today, Gibraltar had voted 96 percent in favour of Remain in Thursday's so-called "Brexit" referendum, but the Leave campaign won 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent overall.
Spain Friday was already taking the opportunity to reignite debate of Gibraltar's sovereignty, with acting foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo saying the vote for Brexit was "a complete change of outlook that opens up new possibilities on Gibraltar not seen for a very long time."
"I hope the formula of co-sovereignty - to be clear, the Spanish flag on the Rock - is much closer than before."
The idea was immediately rubbished by Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, who said: "Let others make irrelevant noises about flying flags over our Rock if they want to waste their breath. Such ideas will never prosper."
A 2002 referendum over the matter saw 99 percent of Gibraltarians reject the idea of joint sovereignty.
