Several Mediterranean countries have asked the European Union for a coordinated response to the situation of the Arctic Metagaz, a Russian vessel that continues to drift in the Mediterranean after being struck by an explosion and fire in early March.
The case is heightening concern among Malta, Italy, Libya and other countries in the region, especially over environmental and maritime safety risks. According to available information, the vessel has been drifting with winds and currents, alternately approaching zones under Libyan, Maltese and Italian influence. Authorities are monitoring the situation and maintaining contingency plans, at a time when the hull shows visible damage, is listing and sitting very low in the water. Libya has already issued an urgent alert, warning of the risk of explosion, gas emissions and vessel instability, while Malta and Italy have also stepped up surveillance. Security zones have been established around the vessel and authorities are asking other ships to maintain distance. In Italy, the situation has even been described as a possible "environmental bomb," due to suspicion that two liquefied natural gas tanks may remain intact.
Hundreds of tonnes of fuel and diesel may still be on board, which aggravates the risk in the event of another explosion or spill. Faced with this scenario, countries of the Med9 group have asked the European Commission to coordinate a swift and common action. Malta assures it has prevention tugboats ready, but insists on the need for a permanent international solution before the situation evolves into an environmental disaster in the Mediterranean.
This publication was generated from information in the original feed. Credits and source reference have been included at the end of the text.
Source: https://portaldomar.org/2026/03/18/navio-russo-a-deriva-no-mediterraneo-leva-paises-do-sul-da-europa-a-pedir-resposta-da-ue/
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