Russian liquefied natural gas tanker (loaded with gas) adrift in the Mediterranean: the threat of ecological disaster is real

©Alexandra Voinova via Unsplash

For several days now, tension has been mounting in the Mediterranean, where the threat of an environmental catastrophe looms. In the Strait of Sicily, the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz is adrift: a 277-meter-long giant, carrying over 60,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and, according to the latest information, some 900 tons of diesel.

A true time bomb which, if it were to explode, would spell disaster.

Why is the ship adrift? What happened?

The liquefied natural gas tanker Arctic Metagaz, which left Murmansk (Russia) on February 24, was hit by a series of explosions between March 3 and 4. The Maltese authorities intervened to rescue the crew of around 30, but the damaged cargo ship was left out of control.

According to the Russian authorities, the Arctic Metagaz was involved in a terrorist attack perpetrated by Kiev, but no claims have yet been made and the hypothesis of an accident has not been ruled out. The Arctic Metagaz is believed to be part of the 'Russian phantom fleet', a network of tankers and LNG carriers (operating via shell companies) used to transport Russian hydrocarbons around Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Alert level remains high

As confirmed by the mayor of Lampedusa and Linosa, Filippo Mannino, the situation of the drifting cargo ship is being monitored by the Italian Navy, accompanied by an anti-pollution vessel and a tugboat. At the same time, the Maltese authorities have issued a notice to mariners, advising them to stay at least 5 nautical miles away from the drifting liquefied natural gas tanker Arctic Metagaz.

In the event of a spill of 60,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 900 tonnes of diesel, the scenario would be dramatic for the Mediterranean ecosystem, already under attack from plastic pollution and global warming. It would be extremely difficult to effectively contain the damage caused by an environmental catastrophe of this magnitude.

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture: Alexandra Voinova via Unsplash)