Government have issued a statement where it notes the ESG’s latest concerns regarding LNG bunkering.

"The Government’s current policy on the future possibility of LNG bunkering operations is the same as it always has been, and this was laid out most recently in both the Chief Minister’s GBC interview of 22nd August and Press Release 440 of 25th August 2016.

"As has been explained in the past, the potential to establish an LNG bunkering market in Gibraltar was one of the main reasons for global players such as Shell bidding for the LNG power station project. The ESG are aware that for some time, the Government and Shell have been considering the possibility of LNG bunkering via an LNG barge. However, HM Government of Gibraltar can guarantee that these plans will not advance until the COMAH investigations are successfully completed. The Government reiterates yet again that no LNG bunkering whatsoever will occur until all necessary environmental and safety requirements are satisfied.

"Further, the Government can confirm that, contrary to the ESG’s statement, there are no current plans for an onshore LNG bunkering facility. However, as the Chief Minister clearly stated in his GBC interview of 22nd August, LNG is the fuel of the future and the Government cannot rule out the potential for LNG bunkering to happen onshore in the future. To do so would be irresponsible to future generations. As the Chief Minister stated on the 22nd August, if ever such a decision were to be made, onshore LNG bunkering would be subject to its own further safety assessment.

"From the outset, the Government has made it extremely clear that this would be a long term project that aims to ensure safe, reliable, economical and clean energy for the next 30 years. In these uncertain times, safeguarding the energy security of future generations of Gibraltarians is more important than ever."