A sanctioned Russian liquefied natural gas carrier, the Arctic Metagaz, continues to drift unmanned in the Mediterranean Sea while displaying severe structural damage. Recent aerial footage reveals the 277-meter vessel listing heavily to one side, with extensive fire damage blackening its exterior and two substantial breaches visible amidships.
The vessel has been adrift since March 3rd following multiple explosions that occurred off the Libyan coast. Current positioning places the damaged carrier approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Malta, raising significant environmental concerns among regional authorities.
Russian officials have attributed the incident to Ukrainian drone operations, though Ukraine has maintained official silence regarding these allegations. The Arctic Metagaz forms part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – aging tankers specifically employed to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Environmental organizations including WWF Italy have issued grave warnings regarding the vessel’s cargo, which includes approximately 62,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas originally destined for Egypt, alongside 900 tonnes of diesel fuel. Experts caution that potential leakage could trigger catastrophic environmental consequences including cryogenic clouds lethal to marine organisms and extensive, persistent pollution throughout the Mediterranean ecosystem.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has convened emergency meetings with key ministers to coordinate response efforts, while Maltese authorities confirm that salvage specialists have already arrived in preparation for the vessel’s anticipated entry into Maltese waters. A specialized recovery vessel is currently en route to assist with containment and mitigation operations.