Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has confirmed that the sinking of the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz has had no impact on the country’s oil and gas supplies or on domestic fuel distribution.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, the NOC stated that it has no connection to the vessel, which was reportedly en route from the Russian port of Murmansk to Egypt’s Port Said at the time of the incident. The corporation stressed that oil exports, gas flows and fuel supply operations across Libyan ports are continuing as normal.
According to the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority, the tanker sank approximately 120 nautical miles north of the Port of Sirte. The authority said the vessel’s crew had issued a distress call following what were described as “sudden explosions” that triggered a major fire, ultimately leading to the ship’s complete sinking.
The NOC added that the relevant authorities have taken all necessary precautionary measures to address the consequences of the incident and ensure the safety of navigation and maritime operations in the surrounding waters. It emphasised that tanker traffic at Libyan ports remains regular and uninterrupted, with a heightened state of readiness to maintain operational continuity.
For its part, Moscow accused Kyiv of targeting the tanker with maritime drones, while confirming that all 30 crew members were safely rescued. The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack remain subject to investigation.
Libyan officials sought to reassure markets and consumers that the incident poses no threat to the stability of energy supplies. The NOC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding production and export operations, underlining that contingency plans are in place to manage any maritime emergencies affecting the country’s strategic infrastructure.