MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ private sector project for an oil industry multi-million port

Plans are to provide facilities for eight offshore supply vessels

An ambitious new multi-million pound port development – specifically for the burgeoning oil industry in the Islands – has been proposed for the western coast of East Falkland Islands.

Plans have already been lodged with the Environmental Planning Office for the site, on 175 acres of privately owned land at Port San Carlos, opposite Camerons Point.

 The proposed berthing is more than four times the size of the floating dock (FIPASS) currently used in Stanley harbour.

The private sector initiative comes from Port Smyley Ltd, a new company being incorporated by Cantray Ltd, the owners of Smylies Farm.

The naturally sheltered inlet with a small wooden jetty was previously used for ferry runs to nearby West Falkland before government provided the purpose built terminal at New Haven.

But if the plans go ahead, it could soon be providing berths and facilities for eight offshore supply vessels as well as a cargo and bunker berth.

Plans indicate that suitable material will be pushed out along the coast line to form the foundation of the structure, which would incorporate drilling mud storage, warehousing, container and pipe storage, water treatment plant, power station and sewage treatment.

A presentation was made to Assembly Members and senior Government Officers last Tuesday evening by directors of Port Smyley Ltd and its technical advisors.

The outline planning permission applied for relates to the land and the related Crown seabed (everything below the high tide mark).

Cantray Company director Lewis Clifton said he recognised that FIG would wish to take a little time to consider the issue and said he could offer little further information at the moment.

Director of Mineral Resources Phyl Rendell welcomed the news of a possible new port: “It’s a very bold initiative led by local business people which is a real credit to them,” she told the Penguin News.
“It’s exactly what the oil industry will need in the event they move to a production phase.
“It benefits the Falklands to have local companies involved at an early stage in any development phase.

Assembly Member Sharon Halford also welcomed the news: “I think that if this kind of development is going to happen, then Port San Carlos is the sort of place to have it, away from the main hub of the community.”
Mrs Halford described the bid as a “fantastic private sector initiative” that could be a tremendous boost to the economy.
She added: “It’s a move that could create new opportunities in the rural community.”

Rural Development Strategy Coordinator Nuala McKay said that to date no oil related activity had been considered within the strategy, but that it was indeed very exciting news.
Miss McKay said she looked forward to learning more about the initiative and the possibility of harnessing opportunities for the rural community.

With the exploration oil round still to be completed and no guarantee that oil will ever be extracted in commercial quantities, it is an ambitious move to provide support for what is hoped will be the Islands’ main industry.

The social and environmental impacts of the project on the area will of course have to be assessed, but it could be the start of repopulating the Camp in a way we never imagined possible.

By Sharon Jaffray – Penguin News - Stanley