What And Where Is Hurds Bank, And What Are PN Proposing?

The Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) has proposed a major new sea project called the Mediterranean Maritime Fuel Hub at Hurds Bank, a large area in the sea south of Malta near Marsaxlokk.

The proposal aims to move the LNG tanker currently sitting inside Marsaxlokk Bay more than 20km offshore to Hurds Bank. PN says this would help residents in Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa and nearby areas enjoy cleaner views, feel safer, and “take a fresh breath” away from the tanker that has remained in the bay for years.

Hurds Bank is already known in the shipping world because many huge cargo ships pass close to Malta every day while travelling across the Mediterranean. The area has very deep water and is already used for maritime activities, making it suitable for large vessels.

PN’s idea is not only to relocate the tanker, but also to turn Hurds Bank into a fuel stop for ships travelling nearby. Ships would be able to refill with LNG fuel, Liquefied Natural Gas, without entering Malta’s ports. PN says this could create around 150 jobs and generate millions of euros for Malta’s economy.

The LNG tanker was originally brought to Malta by the Labour Government in 2015 as part of the Electrogas power station project. LNG is natural gas cooled into liquid form so it can be transported by ship. The tanker stores the gas, which is then sent to the Delimara power station to produce electricity for Malta.

At the time, the government had said the tanker would stay in Marsaxlokk Bay for around three years until a permanent solution was found. However, more than 10 years later, the tanker is still there.

The Labour Government defended the project by saying LNG replaced heavy fuel oil, reducing pollution and helping improve Malta’s air quality while also keeping electricity prices stable.

Over the years, however, many residents raised concerns about the tanker remaining inside the bay for so long, with worries about safety, the environment, tourism and the overall appearance of the area.

PN says its Hurds Bank proposal would solve this issue while also giving Malta a stronger role in the Mediterranean maritime industry for the future.

#MaltaDaily