"The Arctic Metagaz was part of a Russian shadow fleet used to circumvent sanctions imposed on the country's oil and gas after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It was struck in a suspected drone attack close to Maltese waters earlier this month, causing a huge hole."
"Earlier this week the tanker was adrift between Malta and the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, prompting the governments of Italy, France, Malta, Spain, Greece and Cyprus to write a joint letter to the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, warning that the vessel posed an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster."
"There are about 90 tonnes of heavy oil or diesel onboard, so we are more certain of this risk. The other danger is related to the gas that the tanker was transporting. We are less certain about its quantity, but there could be gas dispersion."
The Arctic Metagaz, a Russian tanker part of a shadow fleet circumventing sanctions, was struck by a suspected drone attack near Malta, creating a large hole. The vessel drifted for two weeks between Malta and Sicily before entering Libyan territorial waters. Six Mediterranean nations warned the European Commission of imminent ecological disaster risks. Italy's civil protection agency confirmed approximately 90 tonnes of heavy oil or diesel aboard, with additional uncertainty regarding liquified natural gas quantities. While no leaks have been detected, dispersal of hydrocarbons and gas into the sea remains the primary concern. Libya issued navigation advisories for the rough sea conditions in the affected area.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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