Egypt to deploy backup LNG vessel from Jordan after Damietta fire – PM

Egypt will deploy a standby liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification vessel from Jordan while repairs are carried out following this week’s fire at Damietta Port, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Madbouly said authorities had begun repair work immediately after the incident and were assessing how long it would take to complete.

He said that pending completion of the repairs, Egypt will rely on a regasification vessel contracted by the government and stationed at Jordan’s Port of Aqaba.

Madbouly said Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawy had contacted Jordan’s energy minister to activate the standby vessel and coordinate its deployment to Egypt.

The vessel will help maintain natural gas supplies to power plants and meet domestic demand while repairs are underway, Madbouly said.

The move follows a fire aboard two vessels at Damietta Port on 29 July. Egyptian authorities said preliminary investigations had found that a drone caused the incident, while investigations are continuing and no group has claimed responsibility.

The government has said the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Damietta was not damaged in the fire, which was confined to a service vessel, and that port operations have continued normally.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English