NEWS DESK
‘No problem’ for gas Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au THERE would be no problem in Western Port being used by the 290 metre long gas tankers that energy supplier AGL would use to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a floating terminal at Crib Point, according to a former Port of Hastings harbourmaster. Captain Dick Cox said ship to ship transfers had previously been conducted safely at Crib Point and there may be no need for having fire tugs “on immediate availability … providing there is adequate fire control systems available on the jetty to international standard”. AGL has named Western Port as one of three sites being investigated as an import terminal for LNG from Australia and overseas. The proposal to import LNG has led to criticism of government tax policies which make it profitable for gas to be imported, even though Australia is one of the world’s two largest exporters. The federal government on Monday said it would impose “last resort” restrictions on gas exports in 2018 if it looked like there would be domestic shortages. “It would surely be better for Victorian consumers to have more competition in our local market through cheaper imports than AGL importing through NSW or SA,” former Port of Hastings harbourmaster Captain Dick Cox told The News. The state government, although accepting an Infrastructure Victoria recommendation against building a container port at Hastings, has said it wants to increase its use for “bulk” goods, including pretroleum products. Capt Cox said Western Port would have no problem handling the 290 metre long LNG tankers used by AGL.
PAGE 8 Frankston Times 31 July 2017
“[They] are one of the safest and cleanest types of ships in the world. Their fuel is the boil off from the cargo – [which means] no risk of damage to mangroves or seagrass from oil spills - which is kept liquid at minus 160 degrees Celsius - it has to be warmed before it can be put into the local grid which is the job of the permanently moored vessel, which, hopefully will be tied up at Crib Point No.2 Jetty.”