MEPs call for more rigorous rules on LNG storage across Europe

European Parliament endorses support calling for more rigorous safety rules for LNG storage, PN MEPs say vote important 'in context where an unnecessary and expensive tanker' is set to be berthed in Marsaxlokk Bay 

PN MEPs said the LNG tanker is 'both unnecessary and more expensive'
PN MEPs said the LNG tanker is 'both unnecessary and more expensive'

The majority of MEPs have called for more “rigorous and harmonized” safety rules and training for LNG storage.

A report by Hungarian MEP Andras Gyurk that has been endorsed by the European Parliament “emphasises the need for impact assessments to be made to ascertain the added value of constructing new LNG transport and storage infrastructure.

“We need to establish an internal energy market which fully integrates LNG and gas storage,” Gyurk said. “Completing the missing gas infrastructure is essential for maximizing the use of the existing LNG terminals and gas storages. We need to invest smartly in order to prevent us from over-investment.”

The three Nationalist MEPs welcomed the vote in favour of Gyurk’s report, saying it is important in Malta’s context where the LNG tanker that is set to be berthed in Marsaxlokk Bay is “both unnecessary and more expensive”.

“In Malta, the issue is that rather than providing electricity through continuing with the gas pipeline project or through the interconnector, this Labour government insists on berthing a massive LNG tanker in the middle of Marsaxlokk Bay,” Roberta Metsola, David Casa and Therese Comodini Cachia said in a joint statement. “This will affect people’s daily lives in the region and would mean electricity is generated at a much higher cost.” 

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said that LNG is the ideal fuel alternative to reach the EU’s energy and climate targets, substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions and replace the current fuel-based system with a low-carbon future.

“The fact that LNG is being foreseen to run vehicles and maritime vessels further backs this notion,” she said during a plenary session of the EP. “This strategy acknowledges that LNG and gas storage will contribute towards ending energy isolation that affects all member states such as Malta and Cyprus.

“This reflects a key objective of the EU’s Energy Union that all member states should have access to liquid gas markets, as agreed in a directive adopted earlier this year.”