France: GDF Suez LNG Workers Still on Strike

As informed by Reuters, the strike staged by workers at GDF Suez LNG terminals, situated in southern and western France, continues today as well.

Namely, work on all the terminals is completely suspended, resulting in delays in unloading schedule and even forcing certain tankers to divert to other terminals.

This was the case with the Qatari LNG tanker, Al Gharrafa, which the workers refused to unload. The vessel is now headed for the Spanish Port of Algeciras, where it is expected to arrive on Saturday. A similar thing happened with Cheick Bouamama tanker and an LNG delivery bound for the northern French terminal of Montoir.

Prompted by the increase of the companies’ profits the workers are asking for a raise in their annual bonus and will not resume their activities until their requests are met. The strike was launched on Tuesday and currently talks with the management of LNG unit of GDF Suez, Elengy, are underway.

“Talks restarted today at 1000 (0800 GMT). A positive outcome to a situation which has lasted much too long is reachable,” the CGT union said in a press release.

According to ship tracking data, Grace Cosmos LNG tanker is scheduled to unload cargo at the Montoir terminal on April 23, however, whether this will be possible depends upon the outcome of the ongoing talks.

[mappress]

LNG World News Staff, April 20, 2012; Image: GDF Suez