The Arctic Metagaz, a liquified natural gas (LNG) tanker operating within Russia’s sanctioned “shadow fleet,” is currently adrift in the Mediterranean Sea following a failed salvage operation. Forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar deployed a naval patrol vessel and divers on April 6 to monitor the vessel, according to local media reports.
The tanker has been incapacitated since March 3, when an explosion ignited a fire on board while it was carrying 60,000 tonnes of LNG. While all crew members were successfully evacuated, attempts by Libyan authorities to tow the vessel to port have proved unsuccessful, leaving the ship stranded at sea for over four weeks.
Geopolitical tensions surrounding the vessel
Although Kyiv has not formally claimed responsibility for the incident, Russian officials have alleged that Ukrainian forces utilized naval drones launched from Libya to strike the tanker. An investigation by RFI recently supported the claim that Ukrainian operators are active in the region, suggesting a broader scope to the covert conflict between the two nations.
The Arctic Metagaz has been a focal point for international sanctions enforcement, as it is part of a dark fleet designed to bypass Western restrictions on Russian energy exports. The vessel had previously loaded its cargo at the sanctioned Saam floating storage unit near Murmansk on February 19, with its final destination believed to be China.
Both the United States and the European Union have placed the ship under sanctions due to its role in transporting Russian energy. The ongoing incident highlights the logistical and safety risks inherent in the shadow fleet's operations, which often lack standard oversight and insurance coverage required by international maritime law.
