Drone fire hits 2 U.S. gas ships in Egypt's Damietta amid Iran war
No casualties were reported, but Brent jumped more than 8 percent as the Middle East conflict spread toward Mediterranean shipping lanes.
Two U.S.-owned liquefied natural gas vessels caught fire at Damietta Port in Egypt after a drone struck the floating storage unit Energos Winter on Wednesday night. Ambrey and trade sources cited by Reuters said the blaze then spread to Gaslog Salem, which was berthed alongside it. Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum confirmed the fires on the two ships and said the situation was quickly brought under control with no deaths or injuries. All crew members were evacuated safely. No one has claimed responsibility, and Egyptian authorities have not explained the cause of the fire. The incident came as the U.S.-Iran war intensified, with attacks and retaliation in Iraq and the Gulf region. In energy markets, Brent crude rose more than 8 percent to move back above US$90 a barrel.