Authorities in Libya have started towing a damaged Russian gas tanker that had been drifting in the Mediterranean for weeks, reducing concerns about a potential environmental crisis along the country’s western coastline.
The vessel, Arctic Metagaz, had drifted dangerously close to the coastal city of Zuwara after it was left without a crew earlier this month. Officials confirmed that the coast guard has now taken control of the tanker and begun moving it away from shore.
The ship was transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Arctic port of Murmansk when it was struck in early March. Russia claimed the attack was carried out by Ukrainian naval drones, leaving the vessel severely damaged and forcing the crew to abandon it at sea.
Following the incident, the tanker drifted uncontrollably between Malta and Libya, driven by winds and ocean currents. Its gradual movement toward land raised alarm, with fears that it could trigger a major spill in one of the world’s most sensitive marine regions.
Countries including Italy, France and Spain, along with other European Union members, warned that the situation posed a serious and immediate ecological threat, urging swift intervention.
Libyan officials have since stated that the situation is under control. The National Oil Corporation (NOC), which is leading the technical operation, reported no signs of leakage from the vessel and no immediate environmental risk.
Footage released by state media showed a naval ship towing the damaged tanker using heavy-duty cables, marking a significant step forward after weeks of uncertainty.
Transport Minister Mohamed Al-Shahoubi said the NOC will supervise the next stage of the operation, including the safe removal of the tanker’s cargo.
Libyan authorities are coordinating with officials from Russia and Malta to manage the operation and ensure safe passage in the surrounding waters.
Officials have not yet disclosed the tanker’s destination, and the exact state of its cargo remains uncertain. Earlier reports suggested it carried large volumes of fuel in addition to LNG, some of which may have already dissipated.
The incident has also drawn attention due to the vessel’s alleged connection to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of ships used to transport oil and gas outside Western sanctions imposed after the war in Ukraine.
Such vessels often operate with minimal oversight, increasing the likelihood of accidents at sea.
Although the immediate threat appears to be subsiding, the situation highlights how the conflict in Ukraine is generating risks far beyond the battlefield, including dangers to global shipping routes and vulnerable marine ecosystems.
For now, Libyan authorities must carefully manage the recovery effort to secure the damaged tanker and avoid any spill, as the operation remains complex despite early progress.