As president of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia, a former ship’s captain and a long-time resident of the North Shore, I am compelled to share some facts about LNG shipping safety that lend support to positive consideration of Woodfibre LNG in Howe Sound.
For the marine industry, including the LNG sector, our highest priority has always been safety and security, which is reflected in a truly enviable record of operational safety. The reality is that purpose-built LNG carriers have been plying the world’s oceans for 50 years and delivering approximately 75,000 cargoes without any major incidents.
In our line of work, safety must always come first, and risk mitigation is therefore paramount. For that reason, all LNG import and export terminals are designed with multiple layers of protection and must meet rigorous safety regulations. As a few examples, terminals are equipped with spill-containment systems, fire-detection systems, automatic and manual shut-down systems and video surveillance systems, and all are operated by highly trained personnel.
Should it proceed, Woodfibre LNG will be a state-of-the-art project. LNG carriers will transit existing well proven commercial shipping lanes weekly under the guidance of highly trained and experienced marine pilots and accompanied by powerful escort tugs. Any suggestion that the coastal passage or prevailing weather conditions in the area are inherently hazardous is incorrect.
Given that they will be under escort and their relatively low draft whether in ballast or loaded, LNG carriers will generate a relatively small wake at a speed of around 10 knots and are no less manoeuvrable than any other vessel.
Here in B.C., our marine industry is committed to providing the highest level of safety, voyage planning, incident prevention and risk mitigation. In close coordination with our federal and provincial regulators, our industry will seek to ensure that every marine related project – including Woodfibre LNG, should it proceed – will bring nothing but positive returns to our communities with no sacrifice whatsoever to our collective enviable environment.
Captain Stephen Brown
President, Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia
