March 14, 2026, 2:19 p.mMarch 14, 2026, 2:19 p.m
Malta has put an emergency plan in place due to a damaged liquid natural gas tanker from Russia drifting in the Mediterranean. The 277 meter long tanker “Arctic Metagaz” will possibly reach Maltese waters off the west coast of the island on Sunday evening or Monday, authorities there said. In addition to the shipping authorities, the EU country’s foreign ministry and civil defense are also involved.
The tanker caught fire after explosions off the coast of Libya on Tuesday last week. Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking the ship with an unmanned drone boat. The crew of 30 men were rescued. The Libyan coast guard initially reported that the ship had sunk. But then photos emerged showing the “Arctic Metagaz” with a significant list.
Yesterday, a fire broke out on the sanctioned Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz east of Malta after suspected Ukrainian sea drone explosions. Crew members were safely rescued. pic.twitter.com/fxXbJHRMme
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 4, 2026
Authorities warn other ships
The Maltese shipping authorities have been warning for days that the gas tanker could pose a danger to other ships. In the meantime it was said that the ship was drifting in international waters towards the Italian island of Lampedusa. According to the authorities, however, it is now drifting towards Malta – depending on sea currents and wind direction.
According to the Italian news agency Ansa, Italian Navy units – a tugboat and, if necessary, a special anti-pollution ship – are near the tanker. One of the considerations is to tow the “Arctic Metagaz” further out to sea. In Rome, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called an emergency meeting.
Fears include that the ship could break up or sink. However, the Times of Malta newspaper quoted an unnamed person responsible as saying: “Despite the massive explosion on board, the ship is still stable and is unlikely to sink – at least not for the time being.” (sda/dpa)
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