The LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz remains afloat and drifting in the central Mediterranean following an explosion earlier this month, prompting Maltese authorities to warn ships to keep their distance.
Malta’s Ports and Yachting Directorate issued a notice to mariners on March 10 stating that the vessel is “not under command” and currently drifting about 37 nautical miles south of Malta. Ships have been instructed to maintain a minimum distance of five nautical miles and avoid navigation near the tanker.
The notice contradicts earlier reports from Libya suggesting the vessel had sunk after the March 3 explosion roughly 170 nautical miles southeast of Malta.
Surveillance flights conducted by the Maltese Armed Forces have confirmed that the tanker remains afloat and has been drifting westward toward Maltese waters. Tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows multiple monitoring flights around the vessel since March 6.
Authorities are reportedly preparing contingency plans in case the damaged tanker enters Malta’s territorial waters. Officials have contacted the vessel’s owner, though no details regarding possible salvage operations have been released.
Recent imagery indicates the vessel is listing to starboard, with its number two LNG tank destroyed and extensive fire damage visible across the ship. Other compartments appear structurally intact, though authorities remain concerned that volatile cargo may still be on board.
Malta has therefore established a five-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the tanker while the situation continues to be monitored.
Experts say the vessel’s double-hull design may help prevent an immediate sinking despite damage to one tank, although its long-term stability will depend on sea conditions.
MV Arctic Metagaz is believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet supporting the Arctic LNG 2 project. The vessel reportedly loaded cargo near Murmansk on February 17 before the explosion and fire occurred roughly two weeks later.
All crew members abandoned ship in life rafts and were rescued by another tanker, which was sailing nearby.
