Posted on 03/18/2026 8:01:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Russian ship damaged by explosions has been drifting uncontrollably in the Mediterranean Sea for a fortnight, remaining a potential source of a major environmental accident. Rescuers and environmentalists warn: the situation off the coast of Malta is rapidly becoming more complicated.
The Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz, damaged by a series of explosions, has been drifting uncontrollably in the Mediterranean Sea for nearly two weeks, causing growing alarm among coastal states and environmental activists.
Moscow claims that the vessel, which belongs to an authorised "shadow fleet", was attacked by Ukrainian maritime drones. Kiev has not commented on these claims.
Aerial photos taken after the attack show a giant breach several dozen metres wide near the waterline. The scale of the destruction was so great that Libyan authorities mistakenly declared the ship a wreck on 4 March.
Hull damage and crew evacuation
The huge 277-metre tanker, its hull blackened by fire, lost control after explosions on 3 March, when 30 crew members - mostly Russian and Filipino nationals - were forced to abandon ship.
According to Russian reports, pops continue to be heard on board, gas emissions have been recorded, roll has increased, and localised fires have broken out in some compartments. At the time of the crew evacuation, 450 tonnes of fuel oil, 250 tonnes of diesel fuel and significant volumes of natural gas remained in the tanks, which significantly increases the risk of an emergency development up to explosion.
Environmental risks and Europe's response
AFP footage taken on Sunday shows the vessel about 50 nautical miles southwest of Malta, with the tanker's stern and sides visibly blackened by the fire.
Environmentalists have labelled the Arctic Metagaz a "floating time bomb" and warned that a leak or explosion could cause long-term damage to one of the Mediterranean's most biodiversity-rich areas. Experts note that the damaged hull and ongoing internal processes make the situation unpredictable.
Leading environmental NGO WWF emphasised that possible contamination may have consequences for years to come.
European governments are also concerned about the situation: Italy, France and seven other EU countries have sent a joint appeal to the European Commission, warning of an "immediate and serious danger" to the region.
Legal uncertainty
The vessel is drifting between Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa while remaining in international waters, complicating the question of who should take responsibility for intervening.
Rescue teams are already in Malta, ready for possible intervention if the ship approaches the country's territorial waters. However, the question of who exactly should act remains a matter of diplomatic dispute.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow controls the situation as a flag state, but emphasised that international norms place responsibility for preventing environmental damage on coastal states. While it is being discussed who exactly should take decisive action, the Arctic Metagaz continues its uncontrolled drift and the risk of a serious environmental incident remains high.
That Palestinian Flotilla 2 should have enough ships to tow it to Gaza……
Surely Trump can be blamed.
Europe refuses to clean it up. Not a single leader among them. Little children. I am sure they are waiting for the United States to step up to do the dirty work.
They should bill Ukraine for the cost.
Indeed the coastal states should move to fix this. The consequences would be long term.
There is no long-term thinking among the European governments. They just drift - like this dangerous ship - piling up debt and having no plans for the future.
Typical European Do Nothingers doing nothing.
Just 700 tons of oil and diesel sounds like fairly limited eco damage potential to me. The LNG would either burn or evaporate off without much eco harm. Unless the burning hulk ends up in your lap it shouldn’t be too bad.
I guess tugboats run at a premium in the Mediterranean?
“I guess tugboats run at a premium in the Mediterranean?”
I guess you just volunteered to man the tugboat, board the ship to attach towlines, and tow it somewhere. You must be very brave.
That ship our sub sunk.... Thank God for green torpedoes. Just think of the green disaster that WW2 caused. /S
Send Greta.
EC
knowing tug operators and coasties, I think they’d be insulted by you insinuating they are pussies.
Explosion risk yes possibly
But major environmental disaster hardly
450 tons of fuel oil and similar amount of diesel is nothing in the vast Med
Plus it’s managed not to blow up in two weeks
Right, then why is that ship still drifting?
because its europeans trying to make a decision
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