Challenges

In terms of safety, the challenge is a triple one:

  • Not to expose local residents to further risk as a result of the terminal’s operation
  • To maintain public access to the beach
  • To ensure the safety of people working in the terminal or in neighbouring industrial or port installations.

Since LNG is not toxic, the main danger arises from the inflammation of gas produced through vaporisation of LNG during a leak. The terminal is designed to limit both the likelihood of such a leak and its possible effects. This high level of safety is based on the application of the most recent international and European standards. It is checked throughout the project and the life of the installation by DREAL, the Regional Department for the Environment, Planning and Housing, the government department responsible for inspecting classified installations.

Furthermore, the involvement of CIM in the project ensures a consistent global approach to safety at the site on which both oil and LNG are present. Finally, like the other ‘Seveso’ sites in the area of Le Havre, the LNG terminal will be incorporated into the existing CLIC, Local Committee for Information and Dialogue.