Libyan officials have gained control of the damaged Russian LNG carrier, Arctic Metagaz, which had been drifting for weeks in the central Mediterranean after an explosion earlier in March. The Libyan Ministry of Defense confirmed that the vessel is now secured and being towed away from the shore to mitigate environmental risks. This marks a significant shift in the situation, as the ship had previously been regarded as a “ghost ship” with no country willing to assume responsibility.
In response to the crisis, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has engaged a salvage firm and activated a 24/7 operations center to monitor the situation and coordinate with local and international partners, including ENI. While authorities maintain that the situation is manageable, they acknowledge the potential dangers, including significant structural damage to the vessel and uncertainties surrounding gas levels onboard.
Concerns extend beyond gas leaks to the risk of pollution, as the Arctic Metagaz is also believed to be carrying substantial quantities of fuel oil and diesel. Libya is on high alert, with response teams and containment equipment prepared to prevent an environmental disaster. The vessel had been struck by a Ukrainian drone early in the month, which Moscow characterized as a “terrorist attack,” although Ukraine has not confirmed its involvement. European officials had previously issued warnings regarding the vessel’s environmental threat, emphasizing the urgency of stabilizing the situation.
