Why A Crewless Russian Fuel Tanker Has Become A 'Ticking Time Bomb' For Italy And Malta

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 18:55 IST

Arctic Metagaz, carrying diesel and liquefied natural gas, is drifting between Italy and Malta after a drone attack. Concerns rise over potential environmental disaster.

As the Iran continues to escalate, the maritime authorities have warned mariners to be aware of a crewless Russian fuel tanker that has been moving between Italy and Malta for days after an alleged drone attack, prompting fears of an environmental disaster.

CNN quoted the Italian authorities saying that the Russian-flagged vessel – the Arctic Metagaz – is carrying around 900 metric tonnes (992 US tonnes) of diesel fuel and more than 60,000 metric tonnes (66,000 US tonnes) of liquefied natural gas in the still-intact hull.

A surveillance video, reportedly taken from above the ship, has shown the smoldering blackened vessel listing to one side, with a massive gash on its port side and a filmy substance in the waters around it, CNN reported.

Also Read: ‘Immediately Lift Ban On Russian Oil’: After Poland, Hungary Questions Sanctions On Moscow’s Energy Exports

The ship is reportedly part of Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, made up of aging tankers that secretly ferry Russian oil around the world.

Earlier, the US and Europe imposed sanctions after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

CNN quoted website Vessel Finder stating that the 277-metre ship had left the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and was headed to Egypt.

Also Read: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Calls US’ Decision To Ease Sanctions On Russian Oil ‘Wrong’

According to a statement issued by March 11 by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ship was “attacked by maritime and aerial drones in neutral waters in the central Mediterranean Sea," about 168 nautical miles southeast of Malta, on March 3.

The 30 crew members, some of whom sustained burns, were rescued from their lifeboat and taken to Benghazi by the Libyan Coast Guard along with Russian embassy in Libya, according to Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who called the alleged attack on the commercial vessel an “act of terrorism".

According to Reuters, the Russian transport ministry has claimed that Ukrainian naval drones were responsible for the attack.

“Notably, the attack occurred in close proximity to the shores of an EU member state, yet none of the European nations have condemned the incident to date," Zakharova said while calling the incident as “a flagrant violation of international law".

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Italian foreign ministry told CNN that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been informed that the ship, “ticking time bomb filled with gas," could not safely dock at an Italian port.

On Sunday, the ship was drifting about 20 nautical miles off the Sicilian island of Linosa, part of the archipelago that includes Lampedusa, CNN reported.

According to Malta Today, the Maltese authorities have commissioned a specialised marine salvage team to determine whether the tanker can be safely towed to a port, or if it should be sunk at sea.

Expressing concerns over the potential threats to the environment, especially if the tanker is sunk with its “extremely dangerous" cargo, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), a global conservation organization, has issued a warning and said: “A potential spill could cause wildfires, cryogenic clouds that are lethal to marine wildlife, and large, long-lasting pollution of water and atmosphere."

“The area concerned is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep ecosystems and one of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin," the group warned. “The environmental risk is therefore very high and potentially irreversible, with serious repercussions for the economies of the Pelagie Islands, which are based on fishing and tourism."

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