A severely damaged Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas has drifted into Libyan waters, two weeks after being struck in a suspected drone attack, Italy’s civil protection agency said on Wednesday. The Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to bypass sanctions over the Ukraine war, sustained a large hole near Maltese waters earlier this month. The crew is believed to have been rescued between Malta and Libya.
The vessel’s drift earlier prompted Italy, France, Malta, Spain, Greece and Cyprus to write to the European Commission president, warning of an “imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster”. Italy’s civil protection agency confirmed the tanker was now in Libya’s territorial waters, making the north African country responsible. Libya subsequently issued a navigation advisory urging maximum caution due to rough sea conditions.
While no leaks have been detected, the agency highlighted the risk of “dispersion into the sea of the hydrocarbons onboard”. Around 90 tonnes of heavy oil or diesel are present, along with an uncertain quantity of gas that could disperse. Russia’s foreign ministry acknowledged the situation, saying Moscow’s involvement depended on “concrete circumstances”. The transport ministry claimed the vessel was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones launched from Libya’s coast.
