US-owned LNG tanker hit by drone in Egypt's Damietta port
A US-owned liquefied natural gas storage tanker was struck by a drone while in Egypt's Damietta port on Wednesday, according to a maritime security assessment. The vessel was operating in the Mediterranean port when at least one unmanned aerial vehicle hit it, prompting an immediate operational response. The incident temporarily disrupted activity at the port and led to vessels being moved out of the area.
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The tanker was described as owned and operated by a US company and registered under the Marshall Islands flag. Maritime security firm Ambrey said its initial assessment indicated that the vessel had been hit by at least one drone while in port. Another maritime services company said the ships involved in the incident were relocated outside the port and that operations were briefly halted.
No country or group had claimed responsibility at the time of the latest report. No further details were immediately available on the extent of any damage or whether there were injuries. The lack of a claim leaves open questions about the motive, the method used and whether the strike was intended to damage the vessel, disrupt port activity or send a wider signal.
The attack matters because Damietta is a key Egyptian port on the Mediterranean and the vessel was linked to liquefied natural gas storage, a sector closely watched for its role in energy supply chains. Even a short interruption at a port handling energy-related shipping can affect scheduling, security procedures and confidence among operators. The incident also adds to concern about the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure to drone attacks.
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Maritime security firms have increasingly tracked the use of drones against ships and port facilities, especially where energy cargoes or strategic waterways are involved. In this case, the vessel's ownership, flag and cargo function make the incident relevant beyond Egypt, because it touches on international shipping, port security and the protection of energy infrastructure. The temporary halt and relocation of vessels suggest that operators treated the event as a serious security breach rather than a routine disruption.
What remains unclear is who launched the drone, how many drones were involved and whether the tanker suffered structural damage. It is also not known whether port operations have fully returned to normal or whether additional security measures have been introduced. Further official confirmation would be needed to establish the scale of the incident and any longer-term impact on port activity.
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