A marine tugboat sank at Libya’s Ras Lanuf Oil Port after severe weather conditions caused dangerously high waves, disrupting maritime operations at one of the country’s key energy facilities.
The Libyan Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company confirmed that the tugboat Enqadh 6, owned by the General Company for Towing, Salvage, and Marine Services, went down while moored at the tugboat dock inside the port. The incident occurred as strong winds and rough seas swept across coastal areas, creating hazardous conditions for vessels operating in the harbor.
According to the company’s statement, the sudden rise in wave height led to accelerated seawater ingress into the tugboat’s engine room. The volume and speed of the water intrusion made it impossible for the crew to control the situation, ultimately resulting in the vessel’s sinking. Authorities confirmed that all crew members were safely evacuated and that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
Emergency response measures were immediately activated following the incident. Port authorities and maritime safety teams began assessing the situation to secure the area and determine any potential environmental or operational impact. Initial evaluations indicated no immediate oil spill or pollution, though monitoring continues as a precaution to ensure the safety of port operations and surrounding waters.
The incident comes amid widespread weather instability affecting eastern and southern Libya, where strong winds, heavy rain, dust storms, and high sea waves have been reported over the past two days. These conditions prompted authorities to declare a state of heightened alert, temporarily suspend maritime and air navigation in several areas, and close major roads to reduce risks to public safety.
