Libya’s coast guard tows a drifting Russian LNG tanker away from its shores, averting a potential environmental disaster in the Mediterranean.

TRIPOLI: Libya’s coast guard has begun towing a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas tanker away from its coastline. The vessel had been drifting unmanned for weeks, raising fears of a major ecological disaster among Mediterranean nations.

The Russian-flagged Arctic Metagaz has been adrift since early March after being hit by Ukrainian naval drones. With no crew aboard, it eventually drifted close to the shores of the western Libyan port of Zuwara.

Italy, France, Spain and six other southern EU members warned the European Commission last week that the tanker posed “an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster”. Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity confirmed the towing operation was underway.

Transport Minister Mohamed Al-Shahoubi said the National Oil Corporation (NOC) has been tasked with unloading the tanker’s cargo. He added that coordination is ongoing with Russian and Maltese authorities to ensure maritime safety.

The NOC stated there was “no leakage of cargo until now”. It confirmed the environmental situation was safe with no indicators of imminent risks.

A video released by the GNU’s media platform showed a frigate towing the tanker with a thick rope. The commander of operations, Omar Mohamed Omar Al-Tuwair, said the abandoned vessel had been moved away from Zuwara’s shores.

“We assure our people throughout Libya in general, and the western coastal areas in particular, especially Zuwara and Sabratha, that the relevant authorities are making every effort to deal with the situation,” Tuwair said.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the tanker’s final destination. The Russian Transport Ministry claimed the drones that hit the tanker were launched from Libya, a claim neither Ukraine nor Libya has commented on.

 The Sun Malaysia