A Russian-owned LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, which had been drifting uncontrollably in the Mediterranean Sea for the past two months, has now anchored off the coast of Libya.
According to reports, satellite imagery and maritime tracking systems confirm that the 277-meter-long vessel is now stationary about 18 nautical miles from the city of Benghazi. This suggests that Libyan authorities have taken control of the ship following several failed towing attempts.
The incident dates back to early March, when the tanker was reportedly struck by a Ukrainian naval drone near Malta. After the attack, crew members abandoned the vessel, which then began drifting in open waters with a hazardous cargo of gas and fuel onboard.
Severe weather conditions and technical failures repeatedly disrupted salvage operations, with towlines breaking and the vessel becoming a significant risk to both the marine environment and coastal infrastructure. A navigation warning had previously been issued due to the danger posed by the drifting tanker.
According to the Libyan National Oil Corporation, most of the gas on board has already leaked, significantly reducing the risk of explosion. However, remaining diesel fuel is expected to be transferred to another vessel. The structural condition of the tanker and the integrity of its hull have yet to be fully assessed.
