The GSD has questioned the safety of LNG bunkering in Gibraltar, stating that the GSLP-Liberals just keep taking risk with people's safety by not having any reports on their plans for LNG bunkering and that they have not been open and transparent over those plans.

A spokesman for the Opposition said: "Both Lloyds and the Health and Safety Laboratory have emphasized that they have not reviewed the safety of Government or Shell bunkering plans; amazing given that this is the most dangerous part of the operation in that it will involve both the storage and handling of very large quantities of LNG on board a vessel off the North Mole. That vessel will then be used to refuel the five LNG storage tanks at the North Mole every 14 days and offer bunkering services.

"Originally Government had invited expressions of interest for commercial entities to build and operate bunkering storage tanks at the Detached Mole of a minimum of 12,000 cubic metres. The reason for such large quantities was because lesser quantities would not make the venture economically viable.

"There are a number of questions the Government needs to answer. How much LNG will be stored on the vessel which the Government intends to use for bunkering facilities? Will that vessel be anchored permanently off the North Mole like a permanent though less secure LNG storage facility or will a vessel sail in from abroad every 14 days? Why has Government given the go ahead for LNG storage and an LNG power station when there is no safety report on the safety of bunkering from this vessel and the offloading of LNG from the vessel to the storage tanks at the North Mole?  Who will pay for all the vessel and the storage tanks. 

"The Government continues to complicate an already dangerous process, introducing ever greater degrees of danger with each change of plan, and all without consultation of the very many people who might be affected by an incident."

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