Ticking time bomb: Damaged Russian gas tanker drifts in the Mediterranean, authorities raise alarm, but no one cares

A damaged Russian gas tanker is drifting in the Mediterranean, without control, without a secured course, with an unclear cargo on board. Libyan authorities have lost control of the Arctic Metagaz. What began as a towing operation has turned into an open hazard situation.

The ship was damaged on March 3 off the coast of Malta in a suspected attack by Ukrainian sea drones. An attempt was then made to bring the tanker into a Libyan port. But in the Mediterranean, during heavy weather, the connection between the tugboat and the vessel broke. Since then, the Arctic Metagaz has been drifting uncontrolled. As early as March 18, the ship had drifted into the Libyan search and rescue zone. At that point, there was still hope of stabilizing the situation. That phase is over. The Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority confirmed that the ship is no longer under control.

Khaled Ghulam, representative of the Libyan crisis staff, is openly calling for help from other states. The situation is no longer predictable. In his words, under current weather conditions no one can foresee what will happen to the tanker. At the same time, he emphasizes that Libya has done everything to bring the vessel under control. Now other Mediterranean states are required to take part.

The risk lies not only in the ship itself, but in its cargo. An unknown quantity of liquefied gas remains on board. Sources say the vessel could become a serious danger at any time. One describes it as a ticking time bomb. For weeks, a damaged LNG tanker with an unclear remaining cargo has therefore remained in the Mediterranean without secured international recovery, even though the risks are known. A ship carrying liquefied gas, heavy fuel oil and diesel is drifting uncontrolled, Libya is calling for help, but concrete support from other states has not been confirmed to this day. The reason is not a lack of capability, but deliberate restraint. Whoever intervenes assumes responsibility for a highly dangerous scenario with a possible explosion, massive environmental damage and incalculable costs. At the same time, a Russian vessel is involved, damaged in the context of a war that politically charges any direct involvement. Responsibilities are passed along, risks are avoided, decisions are postponed. Meanwhile, a potentially dangerous ship is left to itself.

The crew had already been evacuated. Around 30 Russian seafarers were able to leave the vessel. The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that the cargo had been fully processed in accordance with international regulations. At the same time, Moscow blames Ukraine for the attack and claims the drones were launched from the Libyan coast. This shifts the incident beyond shipping alone. A damaged energy tanker, a military attack, an unclear hazard situation and several involved states meet here directly. If the Arctic Metagaz continues to drift or is further damaged, not only a technical incident threatens, but an environmental disaster in the Mediterranean.

At the moment, what remains is a ship that no one is steering, and an open call for help from Libya regarding a damaged vessel with remaining cargo of liquefied gas as well as heavy fuel oil and diesel on board, and yet there is no secured international recovery. Libya has requested assistance, but concrete support from other states has not been confirmed to this day. 2026 - the time of egoists. But they call it closeness to the people. Everyone watches. An ethical standstill, while a dangerous ship continues to drift and no one assumes responsibility. A ship with gas, fuel and open risk - and an international community that chooses to do nothing. Time in this situation is working against everyone involved.

Note: All inquiries from us to the International Maritime Organization, the European Maritime Safety Agency, the EU Commission (DG MOVE and Environment), as well as to the coast guards of Italy, Malta and Greece have so far remained unanswered - status April 2, 2026

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