Maritime Crisis in the Mediterranean: A Russian LNG Tanker Drifts Off Italy and Malta
The Italian authorities have issued warnings to vessels in the area, urging them to avoid a Russian tanker that has been drifting without crew for several days between Italy and Malta, following a suspected drone attack.
Aerial images show the vessel, identified as Arctic Metagaz, with a massive hole on its left side and a visible oil slick on the surrounding water. The ship, flying the Russian flag, was carrying approximately 900 tons of diesel fuel and over 60,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to Italian authorities cited by CNN.
Links to Russia’s “Ghost Fleet”
According to authorities, the tanker is part of Russia’s so-called “ghost fleet,” a collection of old tankers that transport clandestine Russian oil, circumventing sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The vessel, measuring 277 meters in length, had departed from the Arctic port of Murmansk and was bound for Egypt, according to navigation data.
Russia Blames Drone Attack; Ukraine Remains Silent
The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that the tanker was attacked by maritime and aerial drones in international waters, approximately 168 nautical miles southeast of Malta. The crew of 30 people abandoned ship after a fire broke out, with some members suffering burns. They were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard and transported to Benghazi.
Russian diplomats have characterized the incident as an “act of terrorism” and a “flagrant violation of international law.” Maria Zaharova, Russia’s spokesperson, stated that the attack occurred near the coast of a European Union member state, but no EU country has condemned the incident thus far.
Italy Worried About Tanker’s Approach
Despite the incident occurring in international waters, Italian authorities are increasingly concerned that the tanker may drift towards Italian territory. The situation was discussed at an emergency meeting attended by several ministers and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Participants recommended that the tanker not be allowed to enter Italian ports, describing it as a ” ticking time bomb filled with gas,” according to an official from Italy’s Foreign Ministry.
The Italian government is in “permanent contact” with Maltese authorities, monitoring the situation closely. Both countries have dispatched tugs and pollution response equipment, prepared to intervene if the situation worsens.
Responsibility for Salvage Efforts
Responsibility for the salvage operation rests with the Russian company that owns the tanker, LLC SMP Techmanagement; however, authorities have not confirmed whether they have been able to establish contact with this entity. The Maltese authorities have engaged a specialized team to assess whether the tanker can be towed or if it will need to be sunk in place.
International Response
The international community is closely monitoring the situation as the tanker drifts off Italy and Malta, posing a significant environmental risk.
Original Article: „Bombă cu ceas” în Mediterană: un petrolier avariat plutește în derivă între Italia și Malta (Video) — Spotmedia (Romanian) | View English Translation