Egypt has confirmed that a drone attack caused the fire that engulfed two gas vessels at the Mediterranean port of Damietta, ruling out earlier speculation that the blaze may have been accidental. The Egyptian cabinet announced on Thursday that the incident, which occurred a day earlier, was the result of a drone strike and said authorities were continuing their investigation while taking all necessary measures to safeguard the country's national security. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident took place at Damietta, one of Egypt's key energy and shipping hubs on the Mediterranean coast, not far from the strategic Suez Canal. The waterway has gained increased importance in recent months as it remains one of the safest evacuation and transit routes for Saudi oil and other energy supplies reaching global markets amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. The confirmed drone strike has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of critical maritime infrastructure in the region.

British maritime security firm Ambrey had initially assessed on Wednesday that a drone struck a U.S.-owned floating gas storage tanker at the port. According to the firm, the impact triggered a fire aboard the vessel, raising fears that the conflict in the Middle East could increasingly threaten commercial shipping and energy assets beyond established flashpoints. The latest confirmation from Egyptian authorities supports that preliminary assessment, marking the incident as a deliberate attack rather than an operational accident.

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According to three trading sources familiar with the incident, the drone struck the floating storage tanker Energos Winter, igniting a fire that subsequently spread to a second vessel, Gaslog Salem, which was docked nearby. The extent of the damage to both vessels has not yet been officially disclosed, and Egyptian authorities have not reported any casualties. Emergency response teams managed to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading further across the port's facilities.

The attack comes at a time when maritime security in the Middle East remains under intense scrutiny. Shipping companies and energy traders have faced growing risks from missile and drone attacks in the wider region, forcing some operators to reroute vessels and raising insurance costs for commercial shipping. Egypt, which derives significant revenue from the Suez Canal and plays a central role in global energy logistics, is likely to increase security measures around its ports and maritime infrastructure following the Damietta incident.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the origin of the drone and the intended target. While no organisation has claimed responsibility, the confirmation of a drone strike is expected to heighten concerns among governments, shipping companies and energy markets over the security of critical infrastructure in one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors. Further updates are expected as Egyptian authorities complete their investigation.

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