STOP «LNG-mania» in Adriatic Sea

1. There are 3 projects for liquefied natural gas terminals (LNG) to be built in the Northern Adriatic, in the near future – 2 in the Bay of Trieste and one on Island Krk. The Italian's are planning to build their two on the sea platforms 14 km in front of Trieste but only 10 km distance from Slovenian coast. Croats aims to build LNG terminal at the location in Omisalj where is already situated well known oil terminal and chemical storages with polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl monomer. There are also rumours that Monte Negro shows great interest to build its own LNG terminal in Bar as well as Bosnia & Herzegovina in Neum (South Adriatic).

Italy has gone ahead with realization of these plans the most. The public hearing for the security and environmental study of the first terminal has already passed and the other is going on these days. All these, without consultation with Slovenia, although both states had signed the ESPOO convention. It is obvious that terminals would have more security and environmental impact on Slovenian than on Italian coast.

On the other hand, Croatian government just made the decision to place the LNG terminal in Omisalj without any previous environmental or security study as well as without the approval of local community. Island Krk is tourist area and in the nearest surrounding of future LNG terminal live more than 3000 inhabitants mostly of tourism.

It is obvious that all 3 LNG terminals are projecting separately regardless present or future ship traffic with dangerous weight in Northern Adriatic that is already heavy. There are big ports like Trieste, Venice, Kopar and Rijeka with oil terminals in Omisalj (Krk) Trieste and Porto Marghera (Venice).

Although the LNG among fossils is the cleanest one, there is a danger for environment too, especially if LNG terminals would be of such density and in such enclosed and shallow sea. LNG is cooled on -160oC and for its de-liquefaction is used the sea water. Some Nordic and Canadian studies say that surrounding sea water can be cooled even for 6oC. That means only one – very possible destruction of complete flora and fauna in Northern Adriatic.  

2. Therefore we expect from European Green Party to demand and influence on Italian, Croatian and Slovenian governments to:

• revise their decisions upon LNG terminals and turn their energetic strategies to the renewable resources.

• start the negotiation about proclaiming Adriatic Sea Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) at IMO.

• consider the possibility of joining the LNG terminals on the more appropriate position in the middle of Adriatic where such installation wouldn't disturb the current ship transport and make less damages to the environment, population and existing touristic activities.