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Harsh Weather Foils Rescue of Damaged Russian Tanker
2 Apr
Summary
- Towing operation for damaged Russian tanker failed due to harsh weather.
- The tanker, Arctic Metagaz, is part of Russia's shadow fleet.
- Libyan authorities are warning ships to stay clear of the drifting vessel.
A recent attempt to tow the damaged Russian tanker, Arctic Metagaz, has failed due to harsh weather. The tanker, carrying liquefied natural gas, was being moved to a safe zone off Zuwara, Libya, last week.
Libya's Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced on Thursday that the towing operation failed early that morning. Strong winds caused the tanker to drift uncontrollably, making a return towing operation impossible under the dangerous conditions.
The authority has alerted all vessels to stay at least 10 nautical miles away from the Arctic Metagaz. The tanker was previously damaged in suspected sea drone attacks in March, leading to explosions and a large fire approximately 240 kilometers off the Libyan coast.
Libya's National Oil Corp. had been collaborating with Italian energy company Eni to manage the situation and prevent an environmental disaster. The situation remains critical as the vessel continues to drift.
