Jun 07 - Government And Lloyd’s Register To Work On “Building Safe LNG Bunkering And Facilities For New North Mole Power Station”
The Government and Lloyd’s Register have reached an agreement to commence scoping requirements for an independent safety report on the new dual fuel power station and LNG storage and bunkering in Gibraltar.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo met today with Lloyd’s Register Chairman Thomas Thune Andersen and a joint statement (posted below) has been issued. The meeting was held at Lloyd’s Register’s iconic headquarters in London.
The parties agreed on the importance and viability of LNG as a clean source of energy and for the commercial development of Gibraltar’s port. The move will see Lloyd’s Register complementing the work being done by the Health & Safety Laboratory to ensure that all the procedures and facilities for the new dual fuel power station, including the provision of LNG, meet the best international health and safety standards.
Lloyd’s Register highlighted that their independence and impartiality is a key factor in their company’s operations.
In addition to this, the parties agreed on the importance of LNG bunkering to the port’s commercial development and to the cruise industry. The parties say they are looking forward to working together to make these projects a success.
The Chief Minister had expressed to Lloyd’s Register his deep concerns at the effect that the presentation by the GSD Opposition of the Spark Energy funded Lloyd’s Register report has had on public confidence in plans for a new dual-fired power station in Gibraltar and on the development of LNG bunkering. Mr Picardo also restated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the new power station and all allied activity including storage of LNG must meet best practice.
In discussions, Lloyd’s Register described its expertise in reducing the risks and managing safety of LNG infrastructure and made clear that the report they carried out for a Gibraltar client had not ruled out the plans for a dual fuel power station. This had only related to specific circumstances that had been put to them. Lloyd’s Register expressed surprise at the political use to which the report had been made.
Today’s meeting followed a technical meeting on Monday in London with Lloyd’s Register experts which was attended by Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, Captain of the Port, Manuel Alecio, CEO GibElec, Hector Montado, Chief Technical Officer HMGoG, Liesl Mesilio Torres, Chief Executive Department of the Environment, Dominique Searle, Chief Minister’s Special Representative and Paul Thomas who acted as secretary to the delegation.
Lloyd’s Register’s team was headed by Angus Fairley, Business development manager and included Leonidas Karistios, Global Gas Technology Market Manager, and Rebecca Mulley, Senior Consultant Environment and Sustainability.
JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN LLOYD’S REGISTER AND HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR
An agreement to begin scoping requirements for an independent safety report on the new dual fuel power station and LNG storage & bunkering in Gibraltar
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo met today Tuesday July 7th 2015 with Lloyd’s Register Chairman, Thomas Thune Andersen.
The meeting was held at the Lloyd’s Register headquarters in London and both Commodore Bob Sanguinetti, Captain of the Port and Manuel Alecio, CEO GibElec were present. This followed a technical meeting, also in London, yesterday between Lloyd’s Register officials and a technical delegation from the Gibraltar authorities.
Following the meeting with Mr Andersen and further discussions with Tom Boardley, Lloyd’s Register’s Marine Director and John Wishart, Lloyd’s Register’s Energy Director, an agreement was formalised to start work to immediately scope requirements for an independent safety review on the plans for the power station and any LNG activity associated with it.
Lloyd’s Register will also work with HMGoG to advise on proposals for LNG bunkering which both parties agreed will be an important activity for Gibraltar as an international port over the next decade.
Lloyds Register agreed with HMGoG that both health and safety are paramount.
The Chief Minister stated: “I am very happy to start this collaboration with Lloyd’s Register which will demonstrate that an independent assessment of the proposals being made to Gibraltar for LNG storage and bunkering will be entirely safe. The Government’s, the Port's and the GEA's highly competent technical team has already met with Lloyd’s LNG experts who have carried out similar studies on other bunkering ports throughout the world. The Government is very confident in its project for clean power based on the confidence on safety which this association with Lloyds Register and other leading players in the field brings."
LR’s Chairman, Thomas Thune Andersen said, ‘’Helping ensure that safety is always first is our job and we are looking forward to working with all Gibraltar stakeholders. Our independence and impartiality place us in a strong position to advise on this project to bring cleaner air and LNG bunkering opportunities to Gibraltar. The overall health benefits of reductions in local air emissions that are hazardous to health are important ambitions. The replacement of heavy fuel oil or distillate fuelled generators by gas generating capacity could provide a significant improvement in local air quality.’
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