Jan 10 - ESG Concerned With Floating Fuel Tanker Move
The Environmental Safety Group has expressed concern over the bunker storage tanker being berthed in the harbour. The group claims that this has a potential for major oil spill as well as fire and explosion on the area surrounding the Shell storage tanks, the berths of nuclear and Naval vessels and the natural gas storage for the new power station. They are also concerned that this move could increase small oil spills in the area, through the connection of fuel lines.
The group insists that whilst they have always advocated on-shore bunkering, ‘this is the worst of all scenarios’. The ESG adds, ‘there will be an inevitable increase in nauseating smells from bunker fumes as a result of the air displacement of fuel tanks in the tanker as well as the bunkering barges as these are filled and emptied leading to a deterioration of our air quality standards and to the quality of life of Gibraltar residents.’
The group believes that the concept of expanding the detached mole to create a bunkering fuel storage tank farm is the wrong one for Gibraltar. A group statement claims that following the explosion of the Nature Group storage tank Gibraltar is weary of such risks. ‘This makes a fuel storage tank farm of such a massive capacity at the detached mole simply not good for Gibraltar.’
The ESG suggests that the old Kings Lines fuel storage area within the Rock be rebuilt and connected by underground piping to the fuel connection points. This would eradicate visual impact and make the process much safer. The group adds that they have followed the impact and practice of bunkering in Gibraltar for a considerable time. They hope that serious consideration will be given to all available alternatives that exist, to bring fuel supply ashore in the safest and least environmentally impacting way.
