Vessel Review: Arctic-Metagaz - A Ghost Ship's Perilous Drift Near the Libyan Coast

The situation surrounding the Arctic-Metagaz has escalated dramatically over recent weeks, transforming it into a ghost ship adrift in the Mediterranean Sea. As of April 23, the vessel was officially classified as Not Under Command (NUC) and found itself drifting uncontrollably, roughly 120 nautical miles north of Benghazi in position 33° 60'N, 020° 02'E. This dire condition was attributed to the snapping of the towing line amidst severe weather, a recurring issue that has plagued the vessel throughout its ordeal.

Assistance came from the tug 'Maridive 701', which attempted to secure the Arctic-Metagaz; however, it too was forced to abandon the scene due to its own technical issues. The Libyan authorities promptly issued an urgent warning to surrounding vessels to maintain a protective safety radius of 5 nautical miles, highlighting the potential dangers of an unmanned drift near populated areas.

Fast forward to April 28, the Arctic-Metagaz was reported to be drifting perilously close to the Libyan coastline, only 22 nautical miles north-northwest of Benghazi. Over a span of four days, the vessel had drifted a staggering 65 nautical miles after the last towline snapped. Fortunately, the harbour tug 'Julyana 2' responded to the emergency, arriving from Benghazi with the intent to secure the ailing tanker.

However, despite efforts, the situation grew increasingly dire by April 29 as the Arctic-Metagaz was located just eight nautical miles off the Libyan coast, in position 32° 25'N, 020° 08'E. The 'Julyana 2' ultimately returned to port, once again leaving the Arctic-Metagaz unassisted. Local authorities, already stretched thin in terms of technical resources, expressed concerns that without immediate international intervention, the risk of the vessel grounding in the shallow coastal waters of the troubled Cyrenaica region was rising sharply.

As the Arctic-Metagaz continues its precarious drift, the maritime community watches with bated breath, aware that the fate of this vessel could intersect with humanitarian consequences for the region. The need for coordinated international efforts is becoming increasingly urgent to prevent catastrophic grounding and potential environmental disaster.