First LNG Shipment Arrives In Southeast Texas

     It is a first for one of the liquified natural gas terminals going up near Sabine Lake. The first LNG ship arrived at the Cheniere terminal and then made its way to the Coast Guard Station Sabine. The first of thousands of shipments of liquefied natural gas made its way into Southeast Texas Friday.

     This is the first re-gasification terminal to open in the U.S. in 30 years. The cargo on he ship is massive and security is a top priority. The Sabine Pass Coast Guard along with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office secured the shipment and oversaw the delivery.

     A government report last month said the U.S. Coast Guard lacks the resources to meet its own self-imposed security standards, such as escorting tankers carrying crude oil or Liquified Natural Gas. The study did not mention any specific locations, but Southeast Texas has at least four LNG terminals under construction or planned. Petty Officers say the Coast Guard in Sabine Pass trains with LNG and oil companies to learn how to improve safety.

     There are safety zones around ships and special boardings. Coast Guard officers with weapons sometimes ride on tankers. Representatives with the Coast Guard say it does the best it can with the funding it receives.

     "We meet all coast guard mandated requirements for training and for security as far as looking at each vessel and accepting each vessel that comes into the port," said Byron Inagaki, an employee of the U.S. Coast Guard.

     This LNG shipment came from Nigeria. The next shipment arrival date has not been announced.