News
Qatari crisis: LNG tankers ‘still heading for Milford Haven’


The Zarga
REPORTS in the national press that the Qatari crisis had cost Milford Haven two big gas deliveries this month may not be correct, according to the latest voyage data from marine traffic websites.
A report in the Daily Telegraph on June 12, which was also picked up by other news outlets, said that the sudden turning of tankers Zarga and Al Mafyar caused wholesale gas prices to surge.
The paper had also reported that gas traders were caught off guard earlier this month, when the pair of Qatari vessels, both headed for Pembrokeshire, ‘abruptly veered off course in the days after a travel ban was imposed on the UK’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier by neighbouring Gulf states.”
The paper reported that The Zarga LNG carrier, which was heading to Wales via the Suez Canal to deliver gas to South Hook LNG, ‘suddenly changed course towards Asia’. The Telegraph also reported that The Al Mafyar also changed route – again unexpectedly.
Whist there was a spike in the gas price, it seems that both tankers are still heading to Milford Haven, but via the Cape of Good Hope, rather than the Suez Canal. Whilst the ships will be delayed, they will still arrive, according to marinetraffic.com, and other sites.
The exact reasons for the rerouting of the vessels is unclear. The Herald has contacted South Hook LNG, who have as yet declined to comment.
On May 2, 2015, a deck officer was struck in the head by a mooring rope during a berthing operation at the LNG terminal with the tanker Zarga, from Qatar.
The report has been published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). It concludes that the mooring lines were inadequate for the job.
A summary of the report reads: “The area where the officer was standing was clearly within the snap back zone of the rope but had previously been designated as a safe area.
“The perception on board was that HMPE ropes did not recoil on failure, and the elasticity introduced by the rope’s tail had not been properly assessed.
“The vessel’s mooring lines were not fit for purpose, they did not have the minimum breaking strength specified at build. they were not compatible with the vessels mooring deck fittings and the required working load limit was too high.
The report does however praise the response to the accident, which likely saved the man life.
It states: “Once the accident had happened, the response of the crew and the terminal staff was immediate; the emergency services were alerted, and medical first-aid was provided swiftly. The injuries suffered by the OiC were life threatening, but because of the efforts of his crewmates, the emergency service paramedics and hospital surgeons, he survived.”
Health
Ambulance delays linked to patient deaths, as local tragedy highlights crisis

PARAMEDICS across the UK are warning that patients are dying because ambulances are unable to offload them into overcrowded A&E departments — a situation tragically echoed in the death of a Pembrokeshire mother whose ambulance never arrived.
Charlotte Burston, 40, from Llanteg, began experiencing severe chest pains on Christmas Day 2023. Her teenage daughter called 999 twice, but was told it would be an hour and a half before help could arrive.
No ambulance was dispatched in time, not because of a lack of willingness, but because so many vehicles were already stuck in hospital bays, unable to hand over patients due to chronic delays and lack of space inside emergency departments.
With no other option, Charlotte’s stepfather drove her towards Withybush Hospital. She suffered a heart attack on the way and later died at Morriston Hospital on New Year’s Eve.
An expert report presented at a recent pre-inquest hearing concluded that had ambulance staff been present at her home, she would “on the balance of probabilities” have survived.
The case comes as a new report by Unison highlights the scale of the crisis facing ambulance services. A survey of almost 600 ambulance workers found that two-thirds had witnessed patients deteriorate during prolonged waits outside hospitals, and one in 20 had seen patients die in their care due to delays in handover.
More than half of respondents reported delays of over six hours, and one in seven had waited 12 hours or more outside emergency departments.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said: “Ambulance workers want the best for their patients. But this is no longer the reality. Ambulances and hospital corridors have become makeshift treatment rooms. The pressure on the NHS is unsustainable.”
Unison is calling for urgent action to increase staffing levels across ambulance, hospital and community services, improve GP access, and expand social care capacity to free up hospital beds.
Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton, who is overseeing the Burston inquest, said that had the 999 call been prioritised properly, paramedics would have been sent and the tragic outcome may have been avoided.
News
Former Welsh Secretary awarded peerage in Sunak’s resignation honours

Carmarthenshire politician among those elevated to House of Lords
FORMER Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has been appointed to the House of Lords in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.
Mr Hart, who previously served as Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson and later as Chief Whip for Mr Sunak, lost his seat at the general election in July 2024. The Conservatives were wiped out in Wales during that election.
Several other former ministers were also recognised. Michael Gove, who served as education secretary and housing secretary under different administrations, was granted a peerage. He is currently editor of The Spectator magazine.
Knighthoods were awarded to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, former foreign secretary James Cleverly, former defence secretary Grant Shapps, and former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.
Outside politics, former England cricketer James Anderson was knighted after retiring from Test cricket in July. He holds the record for most wickets by a fast bowler in Test history.
Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn also received a knighthood for services to the creative industries. His credits include Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class, and the Kingsman films.
Charity
Entries flooding in for Welsh National Tractor Road Run

CARDIGAN will be the place to be on Saturday, June 15, as entries continue to flood in for this year’s Welsh National Tractor Road Run (WNTRR).
The popular event is being organised by the North Pembrokeshire Tractor Enthusiasts – a group of like-minded friends led by Dai Rees of Cilgerran.
The Run will begin at Awenfryn, Glanrhyd – the farm of Keith and Kevin Evans – and take in stunning views across Cardigan Bay before heading inland towards Cwm Gwaun and the Preseli Mountains. The route will then return to Awenfryn.
This year’s event will raise money for three charities: the Wales Air Ambulance, Crymych First Responders, and Cardigan First Responders.

Entry is £20 until the closing date of Monday, May 20. Early entries will be listed in the official programme and guaranteed a commemorative souvenir. Entries will also be accepted on the day for £25, but late entrants will not be guaranteed a souvenir – a decision made by organisers to reduce disruption caused by last-minute arrivals.
Entry forms can be obtained from members of the local organising team – Dai Rees, Alun Owens, Keith Evans, Kevin Evans, Sion Morgan, and Peter Lewis – at various tractor events. Alternatively, forms can be requested by email from the WNTRR secretary at anne.trials@btinternet.com, or downloaded from the WNTRR Facebook page.
Online entry is also available:
Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or advertising in the souvenir programme should contact the WNTRR secretary or Sion Morgan via sion@pantygarn.co.uk.
Spectators are welcome at the starting point and along the route. More details will be released closer to the date.

-
Crime5 days ago
Milford man banned from roads after driving with drugs in system
-
Crime3 days ago
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
-
Crime4 days ago
Broad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage
-
Education4 days ago
Teaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
-
Crime5 days ago
Milford man denies GBH assault on ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandfather
-
News2 days ago
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle
-
News5 days ago
Motorcyclist airlifted with serious injuries after A40 roundabout crash
-
Health7 days ago
‘Nobody taking responsibility’ for paying care workers the real living wage