Mossel Bay looks into LNG terminal

The Port of Mossel Bay has set a 2016 deadline for the establishment of an offshore liquid natural gas terminal (LNG), port manager Tandi Lebakeng told FTW. She said this terminal was part of a range of strategic plans for the port as it moved into the future. Lebakeng said it was already the only port in South Africa to service two offshore terminals within the port limits. Primarily known as a fishing port, it was now going all out to diversify in order to remain sustainable and profitable. “In terms of a time frame for the LNG terminal we are currently busy with an environmental assessment which will take at least six months,” she said. “We are exploring several options and if all goes according to plan, by 2016 at the latest there will be an LNG terminal operating at the port.” Both Transnet National Ports Authority and PetroSA maintain that the establishment of an LNG facility in Mossel Bay is of critical importance for the sustainability of the port and the GTL refinery, and will also play a major role in the economy of the southern Cape.