Libyan Authorities Warn of Drifting Russian Tanker Wreck Posing Environmental Threat
The Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority has issued a warning regarding the Arctic Metagaz, a Russian LNG carrier wreck that has become a significant navigational and environmental hazard. The wreck, which broke free from its towing cable due to adverse weather conditions, is currently adrift approximately 120 nautical miles north of Benghazi. Efforts to secure the wreck have been hampered by technical issues with the tugboat, and the vessel remains out of control. The wreck, which contains potentially explosive quantities of natural gas and nearly 1,000 tons of fuel, has drifted close to Malta and Italy before being driven towards Libya. Libyan authorities, in partnership with Italy's Eni, are working to bring in an international salvage team, but EU sanctions on Russian energy shipping complicate the operation. 
