The Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Arctic Metagaz, damaged in a suspected Ukrainian drone attack on March 3, has drifted into Libyan search and rescue waters after two weeks adrift in the Mediterranean. The crew was evacuated following a fire onboard, and the vessel, which carries large quantities of LNG and diesel, remains uncontrolled, raising fears of an ecological disaster, according to The Guardian and Zero Hedge.
Italy’s civil protection agency confirmed the tanker’s new location near Libyan waters, expressing concerns over its safety and the potential environmental impact as Arctic Metagaz nears sensitive Mediterranean coastlines. Authorities in Italy and Malta have been monitoring the situation closely and are preparing for salvage operations to mitigate the risk of a large-scale spill, reports the Egypt Independent.
The tanker is part of Russia’s shadow fleet designed to evade sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, heightening geopolitical tensions in the region. European Mediterranean states have formally warned the European Commission about the “imminent and serious” ecological threat posed by the drifting vessel, according to The Straits Times.
The incident has prompted increased coordination among Mediterranean countries and the European Commission to address the expanding environmental threat and coordinate a response. The unfolding situation underscores the challenges posed by maritime conflicts spilling into ecological risks in a geopolitically sensitive region.
Upcoming decisions will focus on the feasibility and timing of salvage operations to prevent a major environmental catastrophe, while monitoring continues as the tanker moves in international and Libyan waters. The next phase of response will be critical to safeguarding regional marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Libyan Coast Guard
Arctic Metagaz
Libyan
Mediterranean
Italy
Malta
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