Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi has announced the arrival of the final marine loading arm designated for Egypt’s fourth floating regasification unit, known as “Winter”, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to secure and stabilise natural gas supplies during the high-demand summer season.
The loading arm, described as the largest of its kind globally, was transported to Cairo Airport aboard an Antonov cargo aircraft—one of only four in the world capable of carrying such large-scale industrial components. Its arrival underlines Egypt’s proactive strategy to ensure the full operational readiness of its floating regasification infrastructure, a cornerstone of national energy security.
Once installed, the unit will be connected to the national gas grid via the United Gas Derivatives Company (UGDC) in Damietta, in preparation for the commencement of operations according to the approved schedule. This step reinforces Egypt’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted gas flows across key sectors throughout the country.
In parallel, the floating regasification unit “ENERGOS FORCE” is expected to dock at Jordan’s Aqaba Port later this month. The vessel is currently undergoing final technical preparations and will serve as an emergency backup unit—further enhancing the resilience of the regional gas supply chain via the Arab Gas Pipeline.
The Ministry of Petroleum emphasised that these developments are part of a broader strategic vision aimed at improving the flexibility, reliability, and emergency responsiveness of Egypt’s natural gas system. The enhancements to regasification capacity not only support domestic energy needs but also position Egypt as a regional energy hub, capable of adapting to fluctuations in demand and addressing potential supply disruptions.
