Electrogas has played down concerns over the age of a tanker that will be used to store liquefied natural gas in Marsaxlokk Bay.
Reacting to concerns that the 36-year-old ship may be too old to ensure safety project coordinator Michael Kunz insisted the LNG Gemini was certified suitable for continued service five months ago.
Electrogas won the bid to build a gas-fired power station at Delimara and an LNG terminal with a floating storage unit.
The final agreement with Enemalta was signed recently.
Concerns over the ship’s age, as well as its location inside the bay, were raised during the planning authority meeting in March that approved the building permit for the project.
Mr Kunz said the tanker was dry-docked in November last year and inspected by a classification society.
“A condition assessment program survey was performed during the same dry-docking, which confirmed that the condition of the vessel was very good,” he said.
Asked whether the safety systems on board the ship were also 36 years old, Mr Kunz said the Gemini underwent two “life extension projects” that included upgrading and refurbishment of onboard systems.
The vessel’s safety equipment and procedures will comply with applicable laws
He noted that the ship owner commissioned longevity studies that will be performed by Lloyd’s Register.
“The vessel’s safety equipment and procedures will comply with applicable laws, the classification society’s requirements and the industry’s stringent standards.”
Mr Kunz insisted that the floating storage unit will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, and will have a permanent sea crew on board.
The LNG Gemini was built in 1978 and is registered in the Marshall Islands.
It is 285 metres long and 44 metres wide and will be permanently moored inside Marsaxlokk Bay.
A modification plan was being prepared to allow the vessel to meet the Delimara project’s objectives and discharge LNG at the required flow rates, Mr Kunz explained.
“As part of this review, the vessel’s systems will be upgraded, where necessary, to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the vessel,” he added.
When asked whether the ship’s engines will be maintained on permanent standby to be able to sail if required, he said it will have “two emergency power sources” on board to ensure it can operate safely at all times.
Concerns over the ship’s age were also played down by an independent expert, who spoke to Times of Malta.
Paul Cardona, a veteran marine engineer, said many LNG carriers the same age as the Gemini were still around and kept in very good condition.
He said the cost to build LNG tankers was high and so old ships were continuously regenerated and kept in good condition.
But Mr Cardona said it would be prudent for the company to keep the vessel classified by a reputable certification society: “The ship should be maintained in good condition and this should be regularly confirmed by experts appointed by Transport Malta.”
Mr Cardona said a contingency plan should be prepared for any adverse weather conditions that may require the vessel to be moved. Such a plan, he added, will also determine how many tug boats will be needed and whether the ship’s engines should be on standby.
Mr Cardona said he had full confidence in Transport Malta’s ability to regulate the maritime aspect but insisted it was important that other government agencies such as the Occupational Health and Safety Authority and the Malta Resources Authority should have qualified and experienced people to regulate gas installations.