The Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority warned that the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz is drifting toward Libyan waters off the coast, stressing that it poses a growing navigational hazard as it moves without a crew and is being carried by winds and ocean currents.

The Authority said in a statement issued Tuesday on its Facebook page, that monitoring and tracking operations showed that the tanker, which is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, is drifting uncontrollably, explaining that it is completely abandoned, unable to maneuver, suffering from severe list, and carrying approximately 62,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas on board.

The tanker’s last detected location

It added that the tanker’s last detected position was at latitude 34° 49.0 North and longitude 013° 21.0 East, where it is moving southwest at an estimated speed of approximately one knot, according to information from the Libyan Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center in coordination with relevant Italian authorities.

The Authority confirmed that the tanker poses a direct threat to the safety of navigation, urging all vessels transiting Libyan territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone to exercise the utmost caution and vigilance, particularly within the area between latitudes 34° and 35°30' North, and longitudes 012° and 014° East.

Maintaining a Safety Distance

It emphasized the need to maintain a safety distance of at least 6 nautical miles from the tanker’s location, warning of potential risks including sudden explosion, gas leaks, or instability of the vessel.

The Authority called on relevant authorities, including the Navy General Staff, the Coast Guard, and port and ship operators, to raise their level of readiness to deal with any potential developments, while emphasizing the need to immediately report any changes in the tanker’s condition to the Maritime Search and Rescue Center.

It also called on the National Oil Corporation to direct floating facilities in the Buri and Al-Jarf fields to raise their readiness levels and prepare marine tugs to intervene should the tanker approach within 10 nautical miles of the oil platforms.

Fears of a Potential Environmental Disaster

In the same context, authorities in Malta and Italy have expressed growing concerns about the possibility of an environmental disaster as the damaged tanker approaches their coasts, particularly after it sustained damage from an attack attributed to Ukraine earlier this month.

Maritime reports indicated that the tanker is also carrying approximately 900 tons of diesel fuel, which increases the danger of any potential spill, noting that it is part of what is known as the Russian “ghost fleet,” which is used to circumvent sanctions by disabling location-tracking systems, which exacerbates the risk of collision and complicates rescue operations.

The Ports Authority confirmed that it is continuously monitoring developments in coordination with national and international authorities, noting that it will issue periodic updates as soon as new information becomes available.