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Damaged Russian Lng Tanker Has Reached Libyan Waters, Italy Says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
The Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, long adrift in the Mediterranean, has now entered Libyan search‑and‑rescue waters. Italy warns of a serious ecological risk due to potential gas dispersion, though no leak has been detected.
Damaged Russian LNG Tanker Reported Adrift in Libyan Mediterranean Waters
Main Developments and International Response
Incident Overview
ROME, March 18 (Reuters) - The damaged Russian liquefied natural gas tanker that has been adrift in the Mediterranean for the past two weeks has now entered Libyan search and rescue waters, Italy's civil protection agency said on Wednesday.
Potential Environmental Risks
Threat of Gas Release
The agency, which is monitoring the vessel, told Reuters that the most significant current risk is the potential release of gas, although no leaks have been detected so far.
"The dispersion of gas is a very concrete possibility," a spokesperson said, adding that it was still unclear how much gas remained aboard the ship, as two tanks were reported intact but some of the cargo may already have dispersed in the sea.
European Union Concerns
Ecological Threat and Calls for Action
Italy, France, Spain and six other southern EU countries have warned in a letter to the European Commission that the Arctic Metagaz represents a major ecological threat and urged the EU to take action.
Jurisdiction and Sea Conditions
Italy's civil protection agency said any intervention on the tanker would now fall under Libyan authority due to its location, where sea conditions are currently rough.
Geopolitical Context
Sanctions Circumvention
The EU said the vessel was part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian and Ukrainian Statements
Russian Government Response
Russia's Foreign Ministry has acknowledged that the vessel was adrift in the Mediterranean and said Moscow's involvement in resolving the situation depended on "concrete circumstances."
Alleged Attack and Ukrainian Position
Russia's Transport Ministry earlier this month said the Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones and said the weapons had been launched from the Libyan coast.
Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for any such attack.
(Reporting by Matteo Negri, editing by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Ros Russell)
Key Takeaways
- •The Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s sanctioned 'shadow fleet,' suffered explosions and fire in early March and sank between Malta and Libya after being hit—allegedly by Ukrainian drones launched from Libya’s coast
- •Carrying around 61,000–62,000 tonnes of LNG from Murmansk to Port Said, all 30 crew members were safely rescued, but the cargo’s remaining volume is uncertain
- •The EU faces growing environmental and regulatory concerns over Ukraine‑linked shadow‑fleet vessels, prompting calls from multiple Mediterranean countries for action and highlighting the fleet’s broader ecological risks
Frequently Asked Questions about Damaged Russian LNG tanker has reached Libyan waters, Italy says
1Why is the Russian LNG tanker considered an ecological threat?
European authorities warn the damaged tanker could release gas into the Mediterranean, risking environmental harm.
2Who is now responsible for the damaged LNG tanker?
Since the vessel is in Libyan search and rescue waters, Libya has authority over any intervention.
3What is known about the cargo and possible leaks?
No leaks have been detected, but some LNG cargo may have already entered the sea while two tanks reportedly remain intact.
4How did the tanker end up in this situation?
Russia's Transport Ministry claims the vessel was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones launched from the Libyan coast, though Kyiv has not confirmed this.
