The ship 'Prometheus' has been ready since mid-January, according to an announcement by the CPP-METRON Consortium Ltd (CMC). The statement notes that the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) is seaworthy, and a readiness declaration for its delivery has been issued. The consortium indicates that the timing of the vessel's arrival in Cyprus is controlled by the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA).

The consortium highlights that despite numerous media reports and statements from ETYFA and the Government regarding the project's status and delays, CMC refrained from commenting until mid-March to avoid perpetuating what it termed a "trial by media," which it deemed harmful to the Vasilikos project and Cyprus' interests.

On March 14, CMC publicly confirmed that ETYFA had not yet received the 'ETYFA Prometheus' FSRU—a central component of the Vasilikos project—despite the vessel being ready since mid-January 2024.

Additionally, CMC confirms that ETYFA has made no efforts to accept delivery and commence the use of this critical national asset, which belongs to the Republic of Cyprus.

"It is extremely peculiar that ETYFA, as the legal owner of the FSRU, has not put it into operation," the consortium adds, noting that even before the completion of onshore works and breakwaters at Vasilikos, ETYFA could earn revenue by deploying the vessel commercially in the global energy market, either as an LNG carrier or as an FSRU for another project.

"ETYFA is aware of all this but has done nothing for reasons best known to itself," the statement asserts.

CMC further claims that it appears ETYFA is now seeking reasons to avoid accepting the delivery of a vessel that is ready for operations with minimal effort from ETYFA.

The consortium reports that the vessel is "seaworthy" and underwent over 2,000 nautical miles of sea and gas trials in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes under the supervision of Lloyd’s Register, Schulte Marine Concept, Wilhelmsen Technical Vessel Managers, COSCO, and ETYFA representatives more than eight months ago.

On January 16, 2024, Lloyd’s Register issued a 'Readiness for Delivery' statement for the vessel, which was officially communicated to ETYFA. However, ETYFA did not attend the delivery ceremony at the shipyard in China in January 2024.

According to Lloyd’s Register, there are no pending construction works preventing the 'ETYFA Prometheus' from sailing to Cyprus. There are, however, some documentation steps that only ETYFA, as the legal owner of the vessel, can complete. Despite repeated requests from CMC to proceed with the vessel's delivery, it remains in Shanghai, with ETYFA not accepting it.

CMC states that it has been trying to collaborate with ETYFA on various logistical and non-contractual issues for over a year regarding the completion and departure of the vessel to Cyprus or wherever ETYFA wishes to send it. "ETYFA has chosen to ignore all requests" related to the vessel's delivery procedures, the consortium says, adding that the timing of the vessel’s arrival in Cyprus is in ETYFA’s hands, and CMC cannot be held responsible.