Amur River tanker could dock in San Juan port on Sunday
New Fortress Energy announced that the vessel carrying liquefied natural gas has been scheduled to enter the port on Oct. 12, subject to weather and operational conditions, following a federal court order.
The short version
- El Nuevo Día reported that the Amur River, anchored near San Juan Bay since Sept. 16 due to a legal dispute, could dock on Sunday according to NFEnergía
- NFE said the tanker will enter per conditions set by U.S. District Judge Silvia Carreño Coll in her Oct. 1 order
- Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that NFE will cover the cost of two additional support tugboats when other vessels pass its terminal
- NFE credited Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández for promoting dialogue that led to clarifications from the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau on Oct. 10
Vessel entry scheduled
The tanker Amur River, which has remained near San Juan Bay since Sept. 16 amid a judicial dispute, could finally dock at the San Juan port on Sunday, Oct. 12, El Nuevo Día reported. NFEnergía, LLC stated in written declarations that the vessel, carrying a cargo of natural gas for various power plants, is scheduled to enter and dock subject to weather conditions and applicable operational conditions.
The company indicated that the entry will be carried out in accordance with the conditions established by the federal court in an order issued by U.S. District Judge Silvia Carreño Coll on Oct. 1. NFEnergía said it will assume the cost of two additional support tugboats, beyond those used for the ship's entry, El Nuevo Día reported.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Reconocemos las gestiones del representante Hernández y su interés en que esta controversia se atienda con soluciones. Valoramos la oportunidad de presentar nuestras preocupaciones ante su comisión y acogemos su recomendación de mantener el diálogo.
Our translation: We recognize the efforts of Representative Hernández and his interest that this controversy be addressed with solutions. We value the opportunity to present our concerns before his commission and we welcome his recommendation to maintain dialogue.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Telemundo Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Company credits lawmaker and regulators
New Fortress Energy announced that it is coordinating the Amur River's entry into the San Juan port this Sunday, subject to weather and applicable operational conditions, to deliver the natural gas cargo intended for electric generation, Telemundo Puerto Rico reported. The company credited Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción, president of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commission, for promoting dialogue among the parties that benefited Puerto Rico.
That effort led to communications between NFE, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau and the Financial Oversight and Management Board, which allowed clarification of doubts and progress on the delivery in coordination with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. NFE stated that it welcomed the Energy Bureau's Oct. 10 resolution clarifying that its orders do not by themselves instruct withholding payments for delivered gas and that any deduction requires corresponding legal and contractual procedures, Telemundo Puerto Rico reported.
Where the sources differ
All sources agree the Amur River could enter the San Juan port on Sunday subject to weather and operational conditions and that the move follows the Oct. 1 federal court order by Judge Silvia Carreño Coll. El Nuevo Día focuses on NFEnergía's announcement and the two additional tugboats. Telemundo Puerto Rico provides more detail on Rep. José “Cheito” Hernández Concepción's role in promoting dialogue, the Energy Bureau's Oct. 10 clarification on payments, and NFE's statements thanking officials and acknowledging public concern. An earlier El Nuevo Día article from Oct. 7 noted that NFE had begun procedures but lacked final corporate authorization at that time.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the tanker actually docked on Sunday or if weather or other conditions prevented entry. They provide no details on the volume of natural gas on board, the specific power plants it will supply, the exact length of the delay's impact on electricity generation, or any potential costs beyond the additional tugboats. Future resolution of remaining contractual disputes is also not addressed.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official El tanquero Amur River podría atracar en el puerto de San Juan este domingo
- Reporting El tanquero Amur River podría atracar en el puerto de San Juan este domingo
- Reporting Amur River entraría este domingo al puerto de San Juan, según NFE
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and Telemundo Puerto Rico both reported NFE's announcement that the Amur River could dock on Sunday under the federal court order. Telemundo Puerto Rico is the sole source for the Energy Bureau's Oct. 10 resolution, Rep. Hernández's specific contributions, and the full company statement on dialogue and public concern.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.