The permanent presence of the large gas storage tanker required by the proposed gas fired power station at Delimara, together with a regular supply ship of the same size, was a threat to the power station, the Freeport, maritime traffic, fishing boats, and the lives and health of people in the vicinity, Din l-Art Helwa said.

In a statement this morning on its reaction to the environmental impact statement for the porposed station, the organisation said that prior to any decisions being taken, studies should be undertaken to consider all alternatives that would allow a safer distance and where less maritime traffic is involved.

The NGO also asked whether the other suggestions, including an offshore platform, a gas pipeline, and a proposal to base the gas storage in an area at Hal Far, had been studied and compared in adequate detail and if so why were such studies not made public.

It noted that although the EIS claimed that mooring outside the bay was not possible, many offshore platforms existed which survived harsh weather conditions in the North Sea and elsewhere. More details about this option should be provided before any decisions on the liquefied natural gas were taken.

It said that the risk assessment exercise was preliminary and should be be completed any decisions on the storage of LNG were taken.

“The assessment lacks precise data on the proposed storage ship and the re-gasification installation, when the devil for safety is often in the detail.”

Din l-Art Helwa said the assessment did not adequately consider ship-to-ship collisions, which could cause leaks in the storage tanks on the tanker, and other maritime risks.

LNG stored on water also allowed the unrestrained spread of gas in case of a leak. While the report assumed a maximum spread area, this could not be taken as an accurate as there were too many unknown variables, it said.

The organisation reiterated its request for an outline of the utilisation rates of the proposed CCGT plant, the interconnector and the rest of the Delimara plants.