US-Owned Gas Storage Tanker Damaged In Egypt Drone Strike, Fire Spreads To Second LNG Vessel

A drone struck a U.S.-owned floating gas storage vessel at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta on Wednesday, causing a fire that spread to another LNG carrier.

The attack happened while liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo operations were underway at the port. British maritime security firm Ambrey said the drone hit the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Energos Winter.

Three trading sources familiar with the incident said the fire later spread to Gaslog Salem, while port services company Inchcape reported that two gas tankers caught fire.

No injuries or fatalities were reported. Crew members were safely evacuated, and firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Ambrey said Energos Winter was struck during cargo operations. British maritime risk management firm Vanguard said the vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile on its starboard side, causing a fire that was later extinguished.

Two security sources said the blast was likely caused by a drone strike, although no group has claimed responsibility.

Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry confirmed that a fire broke out on a gasification vessel and a storage vessel at Damietta Port but did not mention a drone attack or identify the cause of the incident.

The ministry said emergency response plans were activated immediately, and firefighting and security teams contained the fire. Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi travelled to the port to oversee the response.

Emergency and technical teams are continuing to assess the impact, while authorities said the incident caused no injuries or fatalities.

The attack came hours after Iran launched missiles at U.S. forces in Jordan, and after the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out strikes on Iran-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq.

The strikes followed a one-day pause in “Operation Epic Fury.” U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran could face further retaliation, while Yemen’s Houthi movement declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

Damietta is one of Egypt’s main LNG export ports, so any disruption there is closely watched by the shipping industry and energy markets.

Following reports of the attack, Brent crude prices rose more than 8% to above $90 a barrel as traders reacted to the growing geopolitical tensions.

Reuters verified videos from the scene by matching the port’s infrastructure, storage tanks, vessel positions, ship-tracking data and satellite imagery. The vessels involved were identified as Energos Winter (IMO: 9256614) and Gaslog Salem (IMO: 9638915).

Energos Winter is a floating storage and regasification unit with a storage capacity of 138,250 cubic metres of LNG. It is owned by U.S.-based Energos Infrastructure, while its technical, safety and commercial operations are managed by Wilhelmsen Ship Management.

References: Reuters, News24Online