CAIRO — Libyan officials announced Thursday that severe weather has derailed attempts to safely tow a crippled Russian gas tanker that has been floating adrift in Mediterranean waters since sustaining damage months ago.
The vessel, known as the Arctic Metagaz, belongs to Russia’s unofficial fleet of ships that transport oil and gas products despite international restrictions imposed over the conflict in Ukraine. The tanker suffered damage in what officials believe was a sea drone assault back in March.
According to Libya’s coast guard, crews had been working to pull the liquefied natural gas carrier toward a secure area near Zuwara, a town along Libya’s western shoreline.
But Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority reported that the rescue mission collapsed at 4 a.m. local time Thursday when brutal weather and powerful winds sent the vessel spinning beyond anyone’s control.
“The tanker is unable to return to redo the towing operation under these dangerous weather conditions,” officials stated, warning all maritime traffic to stay at least 10 nautical miles away from the wayward ship.
Malta Today newspaper indicated the tanker had been pulled to the edge of Malta’s maritime rescue territory.
Libyan port authorities are asking nearby ships to immediately report any changes to the tanker’s condition, particularly if they spot any leaks or smoke coming from the vessel.
Back in March, maritime officials said the Arctic Metagaz had suffered “sudden explosions, followed by a massive fire” roughly 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Libya’s coastal city of Sirte.
The World Wide Fund for Nature, an international environmental group, confirmed the ship stayed afloat after the incident and began floating toward Libya’s coastline.
Libya’s National Oil Corp. revealed last month it had partnered with Italian energy firm Eni to safely guide the compromised tanker to shore and prevent a potential environmental disaster.
