On 31 March, the convoy of the extensively damaged Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz towed by Libyan tugs reached an area near the edge of Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone.
The General Directorate of Coastal Security reported that the vessel was roughly 62 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, with towing efforts ongoing to push it farther offshore. Authorities emphasized that the immediate priority is to remove the tanker from any zone where it could endanger the marine environment. Once it is secured in a safe position outside Libyan waters, a second phase will begin to offload its cargo under controlled conditions.
On 1 April, a high‑level meeting was held in Tripoli between Libya’s Emergency Committee managing the Arctic Metagaz tanker incident and a Russian consular and technical delegation. The discussion reviewed the current operational situation at sea and addressed detailed legal and technical issues to safeguard the rights of all parties under international maritime law and Libyan regulations. Both sides agreed to maintain continuous coordination to ensure accurate and orderly procedures in the coming phase. The meeting forms part of the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) broader effort to manage maritime crises professionally while protecting Libyan sovereignty and territorial waters in line with international safety standards.
Libyan maritime sources described the tow attempt as having failed structurally. The tow line parted several times during bad weather and the tug could not reliably re‑attach, increasing the risk of the hulk drifting back toward shore. The vessel remained afloat but “uncontrolled” about 85 nautical miles north of Misrata with severe weather forecast (strong winds and high waves) making any renewed tow or salvage operation significantly more dangerous.
On 1 April, officials from the Armed Forces of Malta confirmed that they were monitoring the movement of the Arctic Metagaz but denied reports that it is back in the Maltese SAR zone. The ship was approximately 105 nautical miles north-northeast of Misrata and near the border with the zone. A Libyan tug continued to stay in the area.
On 2 April, Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said that Libya’s Rescue Coordination Centre issued an urgent maritime warning on after the towing operation of the LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz failed at 04:00 due to severe weather from the cyclone Erminio, with winds of 40–50 knots and waves up to five meters. The tanker was drifting out of control, and the tug could not reconnect under current conditions. Its latest reported position was at latitude 33°50’N and longitude 16°43’E. All vessels were instructed to avoid the area by at least ten nautical miles, exercise maximum caution, and immediately report any sightings or changes in the tanker’s condition to the Libya RCC, which remains on 24‑hour alert.
The LNA’s Naval Staff Headquarters said that it had formed a special task force to track the drifting Russian tanker and respond to any threat it might pose.
On 4 April, the Secretary‑General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, praised Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority for its swift and proactive handling of the Arctic Metagaz LNG tanker incident, commending measures taken to protect the coastline, critical infrastructure, and the marine environment. In a message to the authority’s head, he noted ongoing coordination with the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) and the Regional Activities Centres of the (UN) Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP), both responsible for Mediterranean emergency response under IMO oversight, and affirmed that the organization stands ready to facilitate communication and provide technical support. He wished the Libyan authorities success in managing the situation and expressed his intention to remain closely engaged as developments unfold.
On 6 April, shifting weather patterns pushed the vessel’s drift eastward, moving it away from the Maltese search‑and‑rescue zone and deeper into the eastern Mediterranean. Its last reported position was 33.25° N, 18.77° E, roughly 93 nautical miles northwest of Benghazi. The offshore tug Maridive 701 is maintaining a safe standoff distance while monitoring the wreck’s trajectory.
Libyan eastern authorities restarted efforts to secure the damaged LNG tanker. According to them, a naval patrol vessel and a specialist diving team have been sent to inspect and stabilize the Arctic Metagaz.