New Fortress Energy says the Amur River, the vessel carrying liquefied natural gas used by San Juan power plant units, will leave for the Dominican Republic this Saturday to restock supplies after sitting for more than a week outside San Juan Bay amid a legal dispute over the ship’s arrival at port. Once resupplying is complete, the vessel is expected to be available Tuesday, September 29, to re-enter U.S. waters, according to written statements from New Fortress Energy spokesperson Lisdián Acevedo.
On Friday, the company was fined $10,000 for failing to comply with an order from federal Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll and for misrepresenting communications with plaintiff pilots; the order required New Fortress Energy to hand over requested information related to the ship’s operational safety. The fine must be paid by 10:00 AM. Monday, September 28, or the company faces an additional $5,000 penalty per day of noncompliance.
The delay in the LNG shipment could raise electricity bills since it requires using diesel in the San Juan plant’s units. Genera PR said it will activate applicable contractual mechanisms to manage alternative natural gas supplies to protect plant operations and minimize impact on consumers.