Libyan Authorities Towing Damaged Russian Tanker to Avert Mediterranean Spill
Libyan authorities were towing a Russian tanker, Arctic Metagaz, drifting in the Mediterranean for the past three weeks after it was damaged in a suspected sea drone attack, officials said Tuesday. The tanker, which carries liquefied natural gas, is part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet transporting fossil fuels in violation of international sanctions over Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
The National Oil Corp. in Libya said over the weekend that it was collaborating with Italian energy company Eni to safely bring the damaged tanker to the shore to avert an environmental crisis. The Libyan company stated that it has taken “all procedures … to reduce environmental risks and prevent any potential leakage or negative impacts.”
Environmental Risks and Concerns
The World Wide Fund for Nature, a global conservation organization, warned on Monday about “significant environmental risks for one of the Mediterranean‘s most fragile and biodiversity-rich marine areas.” The group noted that the tanker remained “highly unstable” and posed a threat to the region’s delicate ecosystem.
A video posted by Libyan authorities showed a tugboat towing the slowly moving tanker with a thick rope. The tanker is seen tilting on one side, with a blackened hull from a fire. The National Oil Corp. in Libya said that it has taken all necessary measures to prevent any potential leakage or negative impacts on the environment.
Background and Context
The Arctic Metagaz was hit by Ukrainian naval drones near Malta’s waters earlier this month. All 30 crew members were rescued, but the tanker suffered significant damage. Russian authorities reported that the tanker experienced “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire,” while it was about 240 kilometers (150 miles) off the Libyan city of Sirte.
The incident has raised concerns about the environmental impact and potential risks to the Mediterranean region’s marine ecosystem. The World Wide Fund for Nature emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns and ensuring that the damaged tanker is safely brought ashore without posing a threat to the environment.
Original Article: Libya tows drifting Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker to avert a Mediterranean spill — Local10