By Elsie Kamsiyochi
A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea following a series of explosions and a fire, in an incident that Moscow has blamed on Ukrainian drone attacks allegedly launched from Libyan territory.
The vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, went down in waters between Libya and Malta after burning for hours, according to maritime authorities and Russian officials, marking what could be a significant escalation in Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure.
Libya’s maritime rescue agency said in an advisory that the tanker experienced sudden explosions that triggered a massive blaze before ultimately sinking.
The agency warned other vessels to steer clear of the area and urged ships in the vicinity to report any signs of pollution, though an industry source suggested that environmental damage would likely be limited to the ship’s onboard fuel oil rather than its LNG cargo.
All 30 crew members aboard the tanker, reported to be Russian nationals, were rescued safely. Russian authorities thanked Maltese rescue services for assisting in the operation.
Russia’s transport ministry described the incident as a deliberate attack carried out by Ukrainian naval drones launched from the Libyan coast, calling it an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy. Moscow said the vessel had been transporting liquefied natural gas from the Arctic port of Murmansk when it was struck.
The ministry condemned what it characterized as a gross violation of international maritime law and pledged to raise the matter in appropriate international forums.
If confirmed, the strike would represent the first known Ukrainian attack on a Russian LNG tanker. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian oil refineries, fuel depots and other energy facilities in an effort to weaken Moscow’s revenue streams that help finance its military operations.
However, previous attacks have largely focused on fixed infrastructure inside Russia or in occupied territories rather than on gas carriers at sea.
The reported use of naval drones far from Ukraine’s immediate coastline would underscore Kyiv’s expanding operational reach, though Ukrainian authorities have not publicly commented on the allegations. The Security Service of Ukraine did not respond to requests for comment.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation said it had no connection to the tanker and denied any involvement in the incident, emphasizing that the vessel was not operating under Libyan authority. Egyptian officials also distanced themselves from the episode.
Egypt’s petroleum ministry said the tanker was not scheduled to dock at any Egyptian port and was not listed under any contracts to supply or receive LNG cargoes in the country, countering earlier speculation that it might have been en route to Port Said.
The ship’s Russia-based manager, LLC SMP Techmanagement, and Russian LNG producer Novatek have not issued public statements regarding the sinking.
Novatek, one of Russia’s largest independent natural gas producers, has played a key role in expanding the country’s Arctic LNG exports, which have become increasingly important as Moscow seeks alternative markets amid Western sanctions.
The Mediterranean has grown more tense in recent months as the broader conflict linked to the war in Ukraine intersects with instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
Commercial shipping routes have faced mounting security risks, and insurers have warned of higher premiums in regions where military activity is intensifying.
An attack on an LNG carrier, if verified, could have ripple effects across global energy markets, particularly at a time when supply chains are already strained by geopolitical upheaval.
While LNG cargoes are designed with multiple safety systems intended to minimize the risk of catastrophic explosions, fires aboard tankers can be difficult to control once they spread.
Maritime safety experts note that even without large-scale LNG spillage, the loss of a specialized gas carrier represents a significant financial and logistical setback, given the limited number of such vessels available worldwide.
The sinking of the Arctic Metagaz adds a new maritime dimension to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, raising questions about the security of energy shipments far beyond the Black Sea.
As investigations continue and claims and counterclaims mount, the incident threatens to further inflame tensions in a war that has increasingly spilled across borders and into critical global trade corridors.
Source Reuters
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