Second attempt to tow Russian LNG tanker off Libyan coast fails

Another attempt to tow the stricken Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea has failed.

This was reported by the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority.

During the towing attempt on Wednesday, April 22, the cable broke due to adverse weather conditions. After that, the tanker was left without control, and the tug is currently unable to regain control of it due to technical problems.

The Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagaz is completely out of control and is drifting in the open sea north of the coastal Libyan city of Benghazi.

Libyan authorities have called on all ships to observe increased security measures and stay at a distance of at least five nautical miles from the tanker. Captains must also immediately report any changes in the vessel’s condition.

It is noted that the vessel is still transporting liquefied gas and fuel, which poses a potential environmental and navigational threat to the region.

Recall that in early March, the Arctic Metagaz caught fire after a drone attack in the Mediterranean Sea. The sanctioned vessel could have belonged to the Russian “shadow fleet”. In early April, the towing operation of the gas tanker also failed. The incident was also caused by a break in the cable connecting the vessel to the tug.