Finance
Libya's Coast Guards Tow Damaged Russian Lng Tanker Away From Its Shores
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 25, 2026
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Libya’s coast guard has begun towing away the damaged Russian‑flagged LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz from near Zuwara after it drifted unmanned following a suspected Ukrainian drone attack, amid environmental concerns voiced by several EU nations.
Libyan Coast Guard Removes Russian LNG Tanker Drifted Near Zuwara to Prevent Ecological Risk
Incident Overview and Environmental Concerns
Background of the LNG Tanker Incident
March 25 (Reuters) - Libya’s coast guard has begun towing away a damaged liquefied natural gas tanker that several Mediterranean countries warned posed an environmental risk after drifting unmanned for weeks, the Tripoli‑based Government of National Unity (GNU) said.
The Russian-flagged Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, has been adrift since early March, when Russia’s Transport Ministry said it was hit by Ukrainian naval drones.
Drifting Near Libyan Shores
With no crew aboard, it eventually drifted close to the shores of the western Libyan port of Zuwara.
International Warnings and Response
Italy, France, Spain and six other southern EU members wrote to the European Commission last week warning the tanker posed "an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster".
Libyan Coast Guard Actions
Towing Operation Details
A video posted on Tuesday by the Tripoli-based GNU's Hakomitna media platform showed a frigate towing the tanker with a thick rope through the water.
Statements from Authorities
The commander of operations for the central sector of the coast guard and ports security, Omar Mohamed Omar Al-Tuwair, said in the video that the abandoned tanker has been towed away from Zuwara's shores.
"We assure our people throughout Libya in general, and the western coastal areas in particular, especially Zuwara and Sabratha, that the relevant authorities are making every effort to deal with the situation," Tuwair said.
Uncertainty About Tanker’s Destination
The authorities have not yet disclosed the final destination of the tanker.
Ongoing Investigation and International Reactions
The Russian transport ministry said the drones that hit the tanker were launched from Libya. Neither Ukraine nor Libya have commented on the incident.
(Reporting by Ahmed Elumami, Editing by William Maclean)
Key Takeaways
- •The Arctic Metagaz, part of Russia’s shadow‑fleet under Western sanctions, was reportedly struck by Ukrainian naval drones near Malta and has been adrift since early March, posing a major ecological threat. (apnews.com)
- •Italy, France, Spain and other southern EU countries warned the European Commission of an “imminent and serious risk” of environmental disaster and urged coordinated action. (apnews.com)
- •Libya’s National Oil Corp., in collaboration with Italy’s Eni, and the coast guard, are managing the tow to avert leaks—the tanker’s final destination remains undisclosed. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Libya's coast guards tow damaged Russian LNG tanker away from its shores
1Why was the Russian LNG tanker drifting near Libya?
The tanker drifted unmanned near the Libyan coast after being damaged by Ukrainian naval drones in early March.
2What environmental risks did the tanker pose?
Several Mediterranean countries warned the tanker posed an imminent risk of a major ecological disaster due to potential LNG leakage.
3How did Libya respond to the drifting tanker?
Libya's coast guard began towing the tanker away from Zuwara's shores to mitigate environmental risks.
4What is the name of the Russian tanker involved?
The tanker is named Arctic Metagaz, flagged under Russia and carrying LNG from Murmansk.
5Have authorities disclosed the tanker's new destination?
No, the authorities have not yet revealed the final destination of the towed tanker.
