Russian Tanker Arctic Metagaz Drifts Out of Control in the Mediterranean Sea

On Thursday, April 2, the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced that efforts to tow the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz to a port in Libya had been unsuccessful. The vessel has been drifting in the Mediterranean Sea without a crew and is loaded with liquefied natural gas, raising significant concerns among local authorities.

According to reports, the towing attempt failed due to adverse weather conditions that caused the tanker to become disconnected from the tugboat. Currently, re-berthing the vessel is deemed impossible, which has heightened worries among officials regarding the potential risks associated with the drifting tanker.

"The tanker has gone out of control," stated the authority, urging other vessels to steer clear of the Arctic Metagaz, as its presence poses additional navigation risks in the region.

It is important to note that on March 3, news emerged regarding a fire on the Russian tanker Arctic Metagaz, which is specifically designed for transporting liquefied natural gas. The vessel is part of Russia's shadow fleet and has been without a crew since early March. Reports indicate that the tanker was transporting liquefied natural gas from the Russian port of Murmansk.

In mid-March, the National Oil Corporation of Libya reported that it had organized a towing operation for the tanker to bring it to one of the country's ports. However, due to strong waves and winds, the tanker continues to drift closer to the Libyan coastline, raising fears about the potential consequences of its approach.

Moreover, Italy, France, Spain, and several other southern European Union countries have reached out to the European Commission, warning of an "imminent and serious threat of a major environmental disaster" posed by the Arctic Metagaz. Authorities in these countries express concern over the potential ramifications of a hazardous cargo leak into the sea.

Italian officials estimate that the tanker may contain approximately 450 tons of heavy fuel and 250 tons of diesel, along with an unspecified amount of gas, some of which may have already regasified and dispersed into the atmosphere. This situation presents serious ecological risks for the region.

The Russian Ministry of Transport claims that the Arctic Metagaz was struck by Ukrainian naval drones; however, official Kyiv has yet to comment on this information. This assertion only underscores the heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict.

As a result, the situation surrounding the Arctic Metagaz remains tense, and further developments could have significant implications for both the environment and navigation safety in the Mediterranean Sea.