Explosion sinks LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean

The LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz sank in the central Mediterranean after a powerful explosion and fire early on March 3. The incident occurred about 130–150 nautical miles north of Sirte and southeast of Valletta, as reported by The Maritime Telegraph .

 

Images taken after the blast showed severe structural damage. At least one cargo compartment appeared torn open, while large sections of the hull and deck were heavily burned. Satellite imagery from early March 4 indicated the vessel was still afloat at that time, but Libyan port authorities later confirmed that the ship eventually sank.

 

All 30 crew members abandoned the vessel in life rafts. Maltese and Libyan rescue services later located the seafarers alive in a lifeboat and confirmed that the entire crew (Russian nationals) survived.

 

Russia’s Ministry of Transport stated that the LNG carrier had been attacked near Maltese territorial waters while sailing from Murmansk with LNG cargo cleared under international regulations. The ministry described the incident as an act of “international terrorism and maritime piracy,” claiming the vessel was struck by unmanned surface craft launched from the Libyan coast. Libyan authorities said the exact cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.

 

The vessel, currently operating as Arctic Metagaz and previously known as Everest Energy, has been linked to exports from the Arctic LNG 2 project, majority-owned by Novatek. The LNG cargo on board is believed to have been loaded during a rare triple ship-to-ship transfer near Murmansk on February 18.

 

Picture: Osinttechnical