Russian LNG carrier, towing operations started

According to the official Libyan news agency Lana, Acting Foreign Minister Taher al Baour discussed with the Russian ambassador in Tripoli, Aydar Aganin, the ongoing efforts of the National Oil Corporation, the Port Authority, and shipping to manage the ship and limit environmental risks.

On the operational side, the National Unity Government's Defence Force announced yesterday that the Coast Guard's Search and Rescue Coordination Centre is supervising the operation, with the support of a tugboat linked to the oil fields.

In the same hours, the Misrata Free Zone announced the deployment of a specialised team from the maritime affairs department on board the tugboat Assumud, in coordination with the operations room, the Coast Guard and port security, to strengthen containment capabilities and secure shipping.

As early as the night of 23-24 March, Noc had raised the alert level, activated a 24-hour central operations room, and deployed anti-spill means and equipment, pointing out that it was working with the offshore infrastructure companies, the Port Authority, and international partners, includingEni who has a joint venture with Noc for Mellitah Gas and Oil.

The ship's cargo, consisting of liquefied natural gas and 700 tonnes of fuel (450 fuel oil 250 diesel), poses a high risk in the event of a leak or collision.

Some European countries have already described the situation as an 'imminent and serious' threat to the Mediterranean ecosystem.

The ship, part of the so-called Russian "shadow fleet" used to circumvent international sanctions, has also been the focus of growing international concern due to the geopolitical implications of the war in Ukraine and the security of energy routes.

Faced with the approach of the LNG carrier to territorial waters, Noc activated an emergency operations centre to coordinate operations, under the direct supervision of its leadership and in cooperation with the relevant national authorities.

The stated objective is twofold: to contain the environmental risk and towing the ship to a safe Libyan port. The Libyan authorities have assured that the country's oil infrastructure, including platforms and terminals, are not currently exposed to direct pollution risks.

The episode highlights the growing vulnerability of the central Mediterranean, a strategic crossroads for energy trafficking and a theatre of geopolitical tensions. The case of the Arctic Metagaz also highlights the critical issues related to the management of ships involved in parallel energy circuits, often characterised by opaque safety standards.