POTENTIAL risks posed by LNG will continue to be monitored by Milford Haven Port Authority, insists its general manager Ted Sangster.

Mr Sangster refuted claims last week that a full quantitative risk assessment had not been carried out into LNG tankers berthing at the port. "It is a fallacy put about by those opposed to LNG," said the general manager. "The authority has undertaken very detailed risk assessments and will continue to do so. "It doesn't stop when we get LNG ships coming in. We have done risk assessments for all other aspects of commercial shipping as well."

The Port Authority is working in collaboration with other agencies and professionals to establish whether it has the capacity to take on extra ships through LNG operations. "In summary we have," he said. "If we put any extra stretch on the authority we would have at least 20% extra capacity. We would only need to utilise 7% of that for LNG ships." Ted Sangster's comments come as health and safety was pushed to the forefront at a special seminar hosted by the Port Authority.

The Safer Port's Initiative, which is a UK port industry drive to reduce accident rates, was given its regional launch in Milford Haven.

Reduction targets, which have so far been met and surpassed, will affect all those within the port community, including shipping companies, oil refineries and tug boat operators. Ted Sangster said: "We all see safety as the hub of what we are doing and there is a great deal of support for the initiative focusing on safety issues and driving down incidents which happen within the industry."

Pictured at the regional launch of the Safer Port's Initiative are (left to right): Alan Furlong (Port Authority health, safety and personnel manager); Ted Sangster (Port Authority general manager); Peter Bond (director of port skills and safety); Mark Andrews (harbourmaster) and Tim Galloway (Health and Safety Executive). PICTURE: Western Telegraph (WTNO862H05).