Drone Hits US-Owned Gas Tanker at Egyptian Port, Fire Spreads to Second Vessel
The attack on an LNG storage unit at Damietta Port marks the first such strike on Egyptian soil since the US-Iran war began, officials say.
Talivio News · Global3 min read
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A drone struck a US-owned gas storage tanker at a port on Egypt's Mediterranean coast on July 29, 2026, causing a fire that spread to a second vessel, maritime risk firm Ambrey reported. The incident occurred at Damietta Port, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The vessel hit was the Energos Winter, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) flagged to the Marshall Islands, with a storage capacity of 138,250 cubic metres. The drone struck its starboard side at approximately 3:20 pm CET. The fire then spread to the nearby Bermuda-flagged LNG tanker Gaslog Salem. Both crews were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control, and the vessels were moved offshore for assessment.
Ownership of the Energos Winter is disputed. One source identifies New Fortress Energy, a US company, as the owner; another source states it is owned by Energos Infrastructure, also US-based. The vessel's technical, safety, and commercial operations are managed by Wilhelmsen Ship Management, a Singapore-based subsidiary of the Norwegian Wilhelmsen Group.
Egypt confirmed that the fire was caused by a drone. The Egyptian Cabinet said no party had claimed responsibility and that preliminary investigations found the incident was caused by a drone. Investigations continue to determine the circumstances and protect Egypt's interests and national security. Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi travelled to the port to oversee the response.
138,250 cubic metres
Storage capacity of the Energos Winter, the FSRU that was struck.
US President Donald Trump vowed a "very hard" response after the drone strike. The attack was the first on Egyptian soil since the war between Iran and the US began on February 28. Iranian state television had identified Damietta as a possible target for 'retaliation against Ukrainian interests' two days before the strike, and a map described the port as 'a gateway for gas exports to Europe.' A Ukrainian strike on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea occurred over the prior weekend. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran 'does not seek escalation' but was demanding 'compensation' from Kyiv.
The incident is part of a broader escalation. On Wednesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan. The US and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-linked militia sites across Iraq on Wednesday. Yemen's Houthi group declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and reportedly plans to impose a toll on passing cargo ships, threatening strikes on noncompliant vessels, which could severely reduce traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Egypt's Suez Canal, through which roughly 12% of global trade normally passes, has seen a dramatic drop in traffic since the war began. Egypt was previously an LNG exporter and Damietta hosted one of the Arabic-speaking world's first LNG export terminals, but declining domestic gas production turned the country into a net importer. Energy analytics firm Kpler said the attack disrupted operations at the terminal and forced both vessels to move offshore.
Updates
Authorities confirmed that a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter vessel may extend repair timelines, with both ships expected to remain out of service for an extended period. While the outage is not expected to cause an immediate supply gap due to available alternative facilities and fuel options, it will reduce spare capacity during peak summer demand. The Ministry of Petroleum stated that the situation was managed through coordinated emergency response plans, as officials consider mitigation strategies including increased fuel oil use and potential supply reductions to certain industrial sectors.
Authorities confirmed that a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter may extend necessary repair operations, with both vessels expected to remain out of service for an extended period. While the outage is not expected to trigger an immediate supply shortage due to existing alternative facilities, it will reduce spare capacity during peak summer demand. Potential mitigation strategies include maximizing other regasification units, increasing fuel oil usage, and the temporary reduction of gas supplies to certain industrial sectors.
Authorities report a breach in one of the tanks on the Energos Winter, which is expected to prolong repair efforts and keep the vessels out of service for an extended period. While officials state the incident was addressed through emergency protocols, the outage is projected to reduce spare capacity during peak summer demand, though alternative import facilities and industrial supply adjustments are currently being considered to prevent an immediate gas supply gap.
Authorities confirmed that a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter vessel may prolong necessary repairs, keeping the unit out of service for an extended period. While the outage reduces spare capacity during peak summer demand, officials stated that alternative import facilities and fuel options are expected to prevent an immediate supply gap. The Petroleum Ministry reported that emergency response teams have successfully contained the situation, as the facility accounts for approximately 7% of Egypt’s daily gas consumption.
Authorities confirmed that emergency response teams have contained the incident at the Damietta Port, though a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter is expected to result in an extended service outage. While the vessel represents 7% of Egypt's daily gas consumption, experts do not anticipate an immediate supply gap due to alternative import facilities and fuel options. However, the loss will reduce spare capacity during peak summer demand, necessitating potential measures such as increased fuel oil usage or temporary industrial supply reductions.
Authorities confirmed that a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter vessel may significantly prolong repair efforts, leaving the unit out of service for an extended period. While the outage reduces Egypt's spare capacity during peak summer demand, the Ministry of Petroleum stated that emergency response protocols were effectively deployed to contain the situation. Officials noted that an immediate supply gap is not expected, as the country plans to utilize alternative import facilities, fuel oil, and renewable energy to mitigate the impact.
The Energos Winter vessel sustained a tank breach, which is expected to prolong repair work and keep the affected ships out of service for an extended period, though authorities claim alternative supplies will prevent immediate shortages. Egyptian officials, who have recovered and are analyzing the drone wreckage, confirmed that port operations continue and pledged to base their response on evidence. Meanwhile, the Houthis denied involvement, while Iranian officials warned against potential Israeli 'false-flag operations' intended to cause regional discord. President Trump stated he has been briefed on the attack and suggested that a group other than Iran may be responsible.
The Energos Winter vessel sustained a tank breach, likely extending repair timelines and reducing Egypt's spare gas capacity during peak summer demand, though officials report no immediate supply shortages due to alternative facilities. While Egyptian authorities have recovered the drone wreckage for investigation and denied any disruption to the energy system, Yemen’s Houthis have officially denied involvement. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have rejected any connection to the incident, warning against potential 'false-flag' operations, even as President Trump signaled a firm US response regarding the attack.
The Energos Winter vessel sustained a tank breach that is expected to keep it out of service for an extended period, though authorities claim national energy supplies remain stable through alternative facilities. Egyptian officials have recovered the drone wreckage for analysis and pledged to release findings, while the Houthi movement has formally denied responsibility for the strike. Meanwhile, Iran has dismissed accusations of involvement, warning instead against potential 'false-flag' operations, as US President Donald Trump signaled a forthcoming response despite reports that a different, unspecified group may be responsible.
Egyptian authorities have recovered drone wreckage for analysis, while the Energos Winter remains out of service indefinitely due to a tank breach, though officials state that alternative supply arrangements have prevented energy shortages. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis have officially denied involvement in the strike, and Iranian officials warned of potential Israeli 'false-flag operations' intended to cause regional discord. President Trump confirmed he has been briefed on the incident, indicating that while investigations into the origin of the attack are ongoing, the United States intends to respond.
The Energos Winter vessel sustained a tank breach that may extend repairs, leaving the unit out of service for an extended period, though authorities claim national energy supplies remain stable through alternative facilities. Egyptian officials have recovered the drone wreckage for analysis, while Yemen's Houthis and Iranian officials have denied involvement, with Tehran warning against potential Israeli 'false-flag operations.' U.S. President Donald Trump, citing intelligence briefings, stated the U.S. will respond to the attack after identifying the perpetrator.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated that authorities have recovered the drone's wreckage for origin analysis and confirmed the attack has not disrupted the national energy system. While Yemen's Houthis have denied any involvement, US President Donald Trump suggested a different group was responsible and signaled a strong US response. Additionally, a breach in a tank on the Energos Winter is expected to keep the vessel out of service for an extended period, though officials anticipate no immediate supply gap.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly confirmed that authorities have recovered and are analyzing the drone wreckage, while emphasizing that the attack has not disrupted the national energy system. Although a tank breach on the Energos Winter is expected to keep the vessel out of service for an extended period, the government has activated alternative arrangements to prevent supply gaps. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis have denied involvement, and both Iran and the Houthis have rejected claims of their responsibility for the strike.
