The damaged Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz has been anchored off the coast of Libya after drifting across the Mediterranean for nearly two months following a reported Ukrainian sea drone strike. The vessel’s future remains uncertain as authorities assess the risks posed by the burnt-out carrier and its remaining fuel cargo.
According to satellite imagery and maritime tracking data, the tanker is currently holding position around 18 nautical miles north-northeast of Benghazi. The development appears to mark the end of a prolonged drift that repeatedly raised concerns over environmental risks and maritime safety in the central Mediterranean.
The 277-metre LNG carrier was reportedly struck in early March while sailing about 150 nautical miles southeast of Malta. The explosion forced the crew to abandon ship, leaving the vessel adrift with liquefied natural gas and fuel still onboard.
Over the following weeks, Arctic Metagaz drifted through Maltese and Italian waters before entering Libya’s search and rescue zone. The uncontrolled movement of the tanker triggered fears that it could threaten offshore oil infrastructure and environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
Libyan authorities launched several towing attempts, but the operations were repeatedly disrupted by rough weather and technical failures. Tow cables reportedly snapped multiple times, including during an incident on April 22 that left the tanker drifting uncontrolled again about 120 nautical miles north of Benghazi.
At one point, navigational warnings described the vessel as “completely out of control and adrift,” calling it both an environmental and navigational hazard and advising ships to stay at least five nautical miles away.
The tanker was temporarily abandoned again during towing operations on April 23, underlining the difficulties faced by salvage teams trying to stabilize the heavily damaged vessel.
By April 28, however, a Libyan harbor tug succeeded in anchoring Arctic Metagaz offshore. Satellite images from April 30 later confirmed the vessel remained stationary northwest of Daryanah and north-northeast of Benghazi.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation reportedly believes that much of the remaining gas cargo may already have leaked, potentially reducing the immediate danger. Authorities are now considering plans to remove the residual diesel fuel and transfer it to another ship.
Despite the vessel being secured offshore, major concerns remain over its structural condition after weeks exposed to storms and prolonged stress at sea. It is also unclear whether full technical inspections have been carried out.
The incident has already affected Russian LNG shipping operations. Since the reported attack on Arctic Metagaz, Russia has reportedly redirected part of its shadow LNG fleet away from the Mediterranean, choosing longer routes around southern Africa instead.For now, Arctic Metagaz remains anchored off Libya as a complex salvage case with unresolved environmental, legal, and operational risks.
