Overview
- Libya’s National Oil Corporation says the Arctic Metagaz will be towed to a Libyan port, contracting specialists through Mellitah Oil and Gas in coordination with Italy’s Eni.
- The unmanned tanker entered Libya’s search-and-rescue zone north of Tripoli after March 3 explosions, with its 30 crew already rescued.
- Italy’s Civil Protection reports no detected fuel dispersal and warns the primary hazard is a potential gas release, noting a large hull breach and instability.
- Cargo details remain uncertain: Italian estimates cite roughly 450 tonnes of heavy fuel and 250 tonnes of diesel plus an unspecified LNG load, Russia mentions about 700 tonnes of fuel, and Libyan authorities have referenced 62,000 tonnes of LNG bound for Egypt.
- Leaders from southern EU states have urged the European Commission to coordinate a response, as the tanker is linked to Russia’s sanctioned ‘shadow fleet,’ complicating salvage and port access.