GDF in Talks with LNG Strikers

Operations continue to be shut down at GDF Suez's three LNG terminals in France as striking workers continue to block operations due to an ongoing pay dispute.

The argument between staff and management, which first broke out on Tuesday, has caused workers to block the unloading of liquefied natural gas vessels to the country's three terminals, the Montoir-de-Bretagne, Fos-Tonkin and Fos-Cavou terminals, causing one vessel to have to be diverted to Spain today, Reuters reports.

So far a number of vessels have been blocked from reaching the three LNG terminals, including the Cheick Bouamama vessel, the Qatari Al Gharrafa vessel, which has been diverted to the the Algeciras Port in Spain, and one more vessel scheduled to supply the Montoir terminal in Northern France.

Another vessel, the Grace Cosmos LNG tanker, is due to arrive at Montoir on Monday. However, unless the dispute is resolved by that time, this vessel too may have to be diverted.

Workers say they are seeking an increase in their annual bonuses following profit increases by GDF and an increase in sales last year and are currently in talks with the management of GDF's LNG arm Elengy.

"The three LNG terminals which belong to GDF Suez have now all stopped operating," the workers' union CGT said today. "Talks restarted today at 10:00 (08:00 GMT). A positive outcome to a situation which has lasted much too long is reachable."

GDF said earlier this week that it did not expect the strike and blockade to cause a shortage of gas supply, owing to mild weather and a good amount of gas held in reserve.