A liquefied natural gas tanker is waiting to enter San Juan Bay, with entry expected this Sunday at 6:00 AM, subject to weather conditions. A federal judge has authorized the entry as long as the maneuver meets the conditions set out in the agreement. The arrival would allow natural gas supply to resume that same day to the San Juan and Palo Seco power plants, which have been running on diesel since September 17.
The development comes as the crisis in the electrical system continues and weighs on consumers’ wallets. The open question is whether the pilots will manage the maneuver. Stefen Rivera, a retired San Juan Bay pilot, answered questions from Noticentro and said the ship had the opportunity to enter on October 2 and has another opening on October 3 between 8:00 AM and the next day.
He said he does not know why they have not wanted to enter, since the ship would be making a normal maneuver. Rivera explained that the pilots’ role begins with boarding the vessel, after which the pilot takes over the functions needed to carry out the entry into the bay. NFE reported that it will coordinate and pay for the support tugboats under the conditions set by the Court, and estimates the vessel could dock this Friday.