Update: LNG carriers searched amidst terrorist threat to UK

(Article updated on 23.05. with a comment by the Port of Milford Haven)

For the past two years, United Kingdom’s special forces have been reportedly searching for mines attached to LNG tankers transporting the chilled fuel from the Middle East to the UK’s receiving terminals. 

According to a report by the Mail on Sunday, Special Boat Service and the specialist divers from the Royal Navy, have been conducting secret searches on LNG carriers as threats of attacks by the terrorist groups like the Al Qaeda or ISIS grow.

A senior Naval source was cited by the Mail as saying that the groups have acquired limpet mines which can be attached to the hull of the LNG tankers heading for the UK.

Such mines can be activated once the ships reach LNG import terminals’ such as the South Hook LNG terminal in Milford Haven or the Isle of Grain terminal in Kent. An incident at one these facilities could have severe economic consequences and lead to gas shortage in the United Kingdom, the report said.

Although a large number of vessels has been searched over the past couple of years it is unclear whether any limpet mines or similar improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been found, the report noted.

In addition to the dive searches on LNG carriers, Royal Navy warships calling in Egyptian ports as well as Beirut, Lebanon, are undergoing routine checks as these vessels have also become a target for terrorist attacks, the report said.

LNG World News invited the Port of Milford Haven to comment on the report.

Bill Hirst, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “We have seen the recent media reports but do not have access to information regarding any activity that may or may not be carried out by UK Special Forces.”

LNG World News Staff