Damaged vessel to be emptied of remaining fuel following maritime assessment
Libyan authorities are moving ahead with plans to pump fuel from the Arctic Metagaz, a Russian liquefied natural gas carrier that has been drifting without crew off Libya's coast since it was attacked in early March [1]. Port and maritime officials expect to begin offloading operations next week, according to reports from port authorities.
The specialised LNG carrier has been positioned near the Libyan coast and is currently being held in place by tugboats [1]. Around 700 tonnes of diesel and heavy fuel oil remain on board the vessel, which was struck approximately 140 nautical miles off the coast of Malta [1].
Safety concerns raised but vessel declared stable
The tanker's journey to Libyan waters wasn't straightforward. Earlier this week, Libyan authorities had been preventing the vessel from approaching their coastline due to concerns it could collide with offshore oil rigs, keeping it at a safe distance instead [1].
However, maritime experts commissioned by the Libyan Oil Syndicate have now assessed the vessel and declared it stable. Their inspection revealed that the ship's cooling system had failed, causing a substantial amount of liquefied natural gas to revert to gaseous form and escape into the atmosphere over long distances at sea [1]. The experts confirmed this posed no environmental risk.
"No fuel was leaking from the vessel and that there was no imminent risk of such an incident," the syndicate confirmed following the inspection [1].
Local authorities seek clarity on implications
Despite the assurances from maritime experts, the matter remains a concern for nearby communities. The municipality of Al-Zawiya has held meetings with Libya's national unity government to discuss the broader implications of the situation [1].
The Arctic Metagaz was attacked—allegedly by Ukrainian sea drones—in early March, leaving it crewless and adrift in the Mediterranean [1]. The vessel drifted within 100 kilometres south of the Maltese islands for several days before later moving towards Libya [1].