Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou said on Tuesday that in the coming days there will be news as regards the departure of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) "Prometheus" from Shanghai, China.

"We expect in the coming days, perhaps even within the week, to hear about the departure" of Prometheus, the Minister said replying to questions by journalists at the House of Representatives. 

He noted that the final work is being carried out so that the ship can set sail.

The Minister clarified that there are many details to be addressed, adding that "suddenly the Republic of Cyprus became a shipowner, you understand that with the Republic of Cyprus becoming a shipowner and an owner of a ship that must sail from Shanghai, this is not a simple decision."

There are, he said, crews that need to be brought in, there are fuels that need to be considered to get to a destination, there are spare parts that need to be put on the ship for the journey “so you understand that there are many details that are being resolved in the coming days”.

Replying to  questions, he said that he cannot indicate the ship's destination yet, noting that the destination will have to be chosen through certain criteria. These criteria, he explained, are that the necessary changes or repairs can be made at its destination so that the ship can be certified as a floating unit and, if possible,  be used until it can reach Vassiliko Terminal where it will be put into use.

The Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA) estimates - and this is an optimistic goal - that by the end of 2025 it will have completed the terminal so that "Prometheus" can enter the pier to begin gasification, he added.

Asked whether the ship will be rented, he said this requires the consent of the European financiers noting that consultations are being held in all directions so that the ship can be used until the infrastructure in Vasiliko is completed. He explained that there is a reason for this, saying that the ship cannot remain unused until the end of 2025. These ships, he said, have mechanisms on board while the marine environment at anchorages will create serious problems.

Invited to say with which countries they are in consultation to rent the ship, he said that they are considering two countries, the UAE and Greece, adding, however, they are also thinking about other alternatives because the two destinations still do not meet all the criteria.