Libyan maritime authorities have reported a serious new development involving the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagas, which has drifted out of control in the Mediterranean Sea after towing operations failed.
According to Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority, the vessel began drifting freely after a towing cable snapped during an attempt to secure it. The incident occurred at around 15:00 on April 22, leaving the tanker stranded roughly 120 nautical miles north of Benghazi.
Officials said technical faults prevented the tugboat from reconnecting to the vessel. The tanker is now located at coordinates 33°59N and 020°02E, raising concerns about navigation safety in the area.
Authorities warned that the vessel still carries liquefied natural gas along with significant quantities of fuel. Early estimates suggest it holds around 450 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 250 tonnes of diesel, in addition to an unspecified volume of LNG.
The Ports Authority urged all vessels to maintain a minimum safety distance of five nautical miles from the tanker. It also called for immediate reporting of any changes in the vessel’s condition, including gas leaks, smoke, or instability.
The tanker had previously been damaged in an attack near Libyan waters last month, according to Russian sources. All 30 crew members were reported safe at the time.
A crisis committee handling the situation said the immediate priority is to prevent any environmental disaster along Libya’s coastline. The next phase will focus on safely offloading the tanker’s cargo once it is secured in a stable location outside Libyan waters.
The incident highlights ongoing risks to maritime safety and environmental protection in the Mediterranean, particularly near key shipping routes linked to Libya’s oil and gas sector.
