The employees of the four LNG terminals that import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to France renewed their strike on Tuesday until next week to obtain the withdrawal of the pension reform project, according to the CGT.
The closure of the three Elengy terminals (a subsidiary of Engie) located in Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) for two of them, and in Saint Nazaire (Montoir-de-Bretagne, Loire-Atlantique) blocks the supply of gas to the GRTgaz distribution network.
But also the unloading of methane tankers and the filling of LNG tanks until next Tuesday, according to the CGT, which indicates that the Dunkirk terminal, operated by the Belgian group Fluxys, has voted to renew the strike until Monday.
LNG flows to France increased by 102% last year
“100% of the voters have extended the closure of the LNG terminals for a week,” Mathieu Michel, elected CGT in the Elengy CHSCT, told AFP, according to which the closure of the terminal is even voted “until the withdrawal of the reform”. .
“We will meet again next week to decide” what to do next, he said.
Elengy’s management confirmed this renewal, considering that there was, at this time, “no danger in the network”.
The movement began on March 6 at Elengy and on March 7 at the Dunkirk terminal.
With the war in Ukraine, LNG gradually replaced the Russian gas that came via pipeline to France.
LNG flows to France intensified in 2022 (+102%), “making the country a major entry point for LNG in Europe,” according to GRTgaz’s 2022 report.
Last year, LNG terminals “accounted for 50% of French gas supply,” according to Elengy. And the proportion is expected to rise considerably in 2023.
Source: BFM TV
