The damaged tanker Arctic Metagaz is drifting crewless towards Malta carrying significant quantities of gas and fuel, with multiple countries warning of an imminent ecological threat
This aerial photo taken on March 15, 2026 reveals the wreck of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier Arctic Metagaz, which is adrift between Malta and Lampedusa. (Image: Newsbook Malta/AFP via Getty Ima)
Malta, a favoured holiday destination, is reportedly at risk of a “major ecological disaster”.
A burnt-out Russian ghost tanker is believed to be approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of the island and is drifting without a crew towards the archipelago. The vessel was attacked two weeks ago by Ukrainian drones and since then, the punctured 900ft Arctic Metagaz has been shifting towards Malta.
Now, several European countries have issued warnings of an impconcludeing ecological threat. In a letter to the European Commission, seven nations stated that the “precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo” presented a “serious risk”, reports the Mirror.
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These countries have characterised the situation as a “dual challenge” – maintaining maritime safety and averting an ecological disaster in light of EU sanctions imposed on.
Russia alleged that Ukraine applyd “uncrewed sea drones” to tarreceive the Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Security Service of Ukraine has yet to respond to the claim.
According to Russia, the attack occurred on March 4 and was launched from the Libyan coast. The ship had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Consisting primarily of elderly tankers, the fleet transports Russian oil and gas across the globe whilst circumventing Western sanctions. Authorities in Malta and Italy have been carefully tracking the wreckage due to fears over possible contamination.
Rome stated the vessel was carrying “significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.”
WWF Italy cautioned in a statement: “A potential spill could caapply fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere.”
It continued: “The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin.”
Salvage specialists are already positioned in Malta awaiting the ship’s arrival into Maltese waters, whilst a specialist vessel is en route, a maritime source informed AFP on Sunday.
Early reports suggested the ship sank following explosions which triggered a fire on board. Libyan authorities stated the tanker went down approximately 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte.
Roughly 30 Russians were aboard the Arctic Metagaz, according to Russia’s transport ministest. They were all discovered “safe and sound in a lifeboat” by Malta’s armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed.
However, Malta’s transport authority confirmed last week that the wreckage was still afloat. The Russian Federation’s Ministest of Foreign Affairs acknowledged that the ship was adrift in the Mediterranean and stated that Russia’s continued involvement in resolving the situation would hinge on “concrete circumstances”.
It further noted that attempts to manage the situation – including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support – could potentially “undermine the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime”.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministest, revealed that the ship was unmanned and was carrying 700 metric tons of various types of fuel along with “a substantial amount of natural gas”.
“The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries … for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster,” Zakharova penned.
“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depconclude on the specific circumstances.”
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