Libya unloads cargo from Russian vessel carrying 60,000 tons of gas adrift at sea

Libya begins towing an adrift Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker from its western coast, coordinating with Russia to unload cargo.

On 25/3, Libyan Minister of Transport Mohamed Al-Shahoubi announced that the National Oil Corporation (NOC) was tasked with unloading cargo from the Russian vessel. NOC is coordinating with Russian and Maltese foreign ministries and authorities to ensure maritime safety in the Mediterranean basin.

NOC reported "no cargo leakage" from the vessel, currently under tow by the Libyan coast guard. The surrounding environment remains safe, with no signs of risk.

Libyan coast guard tows Russian tanker to international waters for unloading on 25/3. *Video: X/Libya Observer*

Video released by Libyan authorities on 24/3 showed a destroyer towing the Russian vessel with cables. Omar Mohamed Omar Al-Tuwair, commander of central operations for the coast guard and port security, stated the vessel was towed away from the Zuwara coast.

"We reassure people across Libya, particularly in the western coastal areas of Zuwara and Sabratha, that relevant authorities are making every effort to manage the situation," Tuwair said. Authorities have not yet disclosed the vessel's destination.

The 277-meter vessel, named Arctic Metagaz, departed from Murmansk, Russia, carrying about 900 tons of diesel and over 60,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bound for Egypt. It caught fire on 3/3. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated the Arctic Metagaz was hit by a UAV in international waters in the Mediterranean, approximately 168 nautical miles southeast of Malta, and has been adrift since. Russia accused Ukraine of the attack.

The Arctic Metagaz drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, 15/3. *Photo: AFP*

All 30 crew members evacuated the vessel in lifeboats after the fire, with some suffering burns. The Libyan coast guard, in coordination with the Russian embassy in Libya, rescued them and transported them to Benghazi.

The vessel then drifted aimlessly, approaching the coast near Zuwara port in western Libya. Italy, France, Spain, and six other southern EU members warned last week of the vessel's "serious ecological disaster risk".