The Russian methane tanker Arctic Metagaz, damaged after an explosion and subsequent fire resulting from a drone attack, is finally anchored off the eastern coast of Libya. The vessel remained adrift in the Mediterranean Sea for two months.
However, uncertainty persists over how the Libyan authorities will manage the ship, given that it continues to pose an environmental hazard with a risk of spills into the environment, according to the media outlet ilNautilus.
Satellite images confirmed the vessel’s position about 8 nautical miles northwest of Daryanah and 18 nautical miles north-northeast of Benghazi. Maritime tracking data indicates the ship is “stopped” and that Libyan authorities have managed to secure it – for now – after repeated failed towing attempts.
Control of the operation to secure the vessel and safeguard the marine environment now appears to fall to the authorities of eastern Libya, linked to General Khalifa Haftar, regarding coordination and technical capacity for a long-term solution.
Indeed, questions remain about the condition of the vessel and the safety of the maintenance operation at the anchorage. The ship has endured weeks of storms and structural fatigue, and it is unclear whether thorough inspections have been carried out.
The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) has indicated that much of the remaining gas on board may have leaked, potentially reducing immediate risks, while plans are being prepared to extract the residual diesel fuel and transfer it to another vessel.
The vessel carries about 700 tons of fuel and an undetermined amount of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Two of the tanks are believed to remain intact and undamaged, but due to the list, there are fears of gas pocket formation with a risk of explosion.
Russia has confirmed the nationality of the vessel, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of the coastal nations – where the incident occurred – to ensure the protection of the marine environment to prevent pollution, in accordance with International Environmental Law.
The Arctic Metagaz was sailing under the Russian flag when it was allegedly attacked by Ukrainian drones east of Malta. The explosions suffered – on March 3rd – forced the crew to abandon the vessel, leaving the ship adrift.
In the following days, the Arctic Metagaz reached waters near Malta and Italy before entering Libyan waters. Libyan authorities attempted to hook the vessel to tow it, but failed due to extreme marine weather conditions.
The vessel was temporarily abandoned during these operations, the last of which was on April 23rd according to the notice, highlighting the difficulty of stabilizing the damaged ship.
“Completely out of control and adrift,” warned the Libyan Coast Guard bulletin at that time, adding that the gas carrier posed “an environmental and navigational risk” and requiring vessels to maintain a minimum distance of five nautical miles.
Currently, although the anchoring of the Russian methane tanker marks a pause in its drift, it remains a potential environmental hazard and a legally complex rescue case with no clear solution in sight.
