L.P.G. expected soon

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 9

L.P.G. expected soon

The first shipment of liquid petroleum gas through Lyttelton is expected early next week in spite of a demarcation dispute that has delayed the departure of the bulk tanker Tarihiko from Dunedin. The general manager of Liquigas, Ltd, Mr F. J. A. Easther, said yesterday he hoped an interim agreement would be reached that would allow the Tarihiko to berth at Lyttelton on Monday. The tanker has been tied up at the Dunedin L.P.G. facility since early last month because of a dispute

f over who should load and ; discharge her. The demarcation dispute involves the i Engineers’ Union and the Watersiders’ Union and is s centred on union coverage of Liquigas depot staff. Mr Easther said the problems associated with the dispute would go before the Arbitration Court from September 12 to 14. “I am hopeful that reason will prevail and that we will be able to negotiate an arrangement,” he said. “We have now reached the stage where we would like to see the ship at Lyttelton and begin filling

the pipeline.” The Lyttelton and Woolston L.P.G. facilities have now been completed and await commissioning on the arrival of the Tarihiko. Testing of the 7km pipeline and equipment at the Woolston depot and the pumphouse and wharf facilities at Lyttelton was completed several weeks ago. The Tarihiko will be in port for about three days to discharge just under 1000 tonnes of L.P.G. The tanker has discharged two loads of L.P.G. at Dunedin since her arrival in New Zealand in April.