Oct 15 - Government Offers Clarification On LNG Following ESG Comments

Written by YGTV Team on 15 October 2018.

The Government say the ESG has "totally misunderstood" the recent developments aimed at preparing Gibraltar for LNG bunkering.

A spokesperson for the Government said: "It seems to have jumped to a number of conclusions that would have been very quickly clarified had they approached the Government, given the strong lines of communication that exist between ESG and the Department of the Environment and Climate Change.

"The Port is not gearing up to allow barge refuelling as stated by the ESG but simply enabling the legislation to allow future LNG bunkering companies applying for a licence to conduct this type of operation should the need arise, and following all the necessary safety assessments. The LNG plant is designed to supply the power station and not to supply LNG bunkers to vessels. There has been no change here at all.

"The Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) is very well aware that there are differences between the supply of LNG and conventional bunkering. The GPA will ensure that LNG bunkering complies with all internationally acceptable standards as well as having a specific LNG bunker code of practice which will form part of the licence conditions.

"The GPA has been working closely with Government to ensure that the legal framework to allow LNG bunkering in BGTW complies with international as well as local requirements. The shipping industry is moving towards adopting the burning of cleaner fuels on vessels and LNG is one of the best options at present. However the demand for LNG is not high but Gibraltar, being one of the most important bunkering ports in the Mediterranean, has to prepare for future demands when these arise.

"The amendment to the Port Operation Act has no link to the LNG plant to supply the power station."

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