Prometheus To Leave Shanghai For Certification In Europe Or Egypt
Cyprus Finalizes Agreement To Release Prometheus From Shanghai Shipyard With Plans For Certification In Neighboring Countries
Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou revealed yesterday (22/10) to the Parliamentary Energy Committee that an initial agreement has been reached for the delivery of the FSRU "Prometheus." As previously reported by Brief, the Ministry of Energy and ETYFA have successfully released Prometheus, which had been held hostage by a Chinese consortium at a shipyard in Shanghai.
According to sources, the agreement reached, involving a "financial settlement" with the Chinese consortium, is considered successful due to the significant benefit to the Republic of Cyprus from acquiring Prometheus. It should be noted that, under the agreement, no additional funds will be paid to the consortium.
At the same time, according to sources from the Ministry of Energy, Prometheus may not "dock" in Cyprus after its acquisition but in the natural gas infrastructure of another country in the region because it has not yet been certified as a floating regasification unit. This approach – as the same sources explained to Brief – would allow Prometheus to obtain certification, as these infrastructures in the Vasilikos area have not yet been completed, thus avoiding wasting valuable time waiting for their completion.
As we have learned, among the candidate countries with such infrastructures and considered by the Ministry of Energy are Greece, Egypt, and Italy.
To implement the agreement, Prometheus must set sail within 60 days. The deadline began counting from last week.
As stated to Brief, the issue is currently considered procedural and mainly concerns the crew that will bring Prometheus to Cyprus, as it is not yet clear whether there will be a change in the company currently manning the vessel.
Another issue is the route Prometheus will take to reach the Mediterranean. Geopolitical developments and the possibility of passing through the Red Sea, due to Houthi attacks, among other risks, could jeopardize the ship's safety. As a result, there is still a possibility that Prometheus may take an alternate route, which could extend the duration of its journey to the Mediterranean.
