Sanctioned Russian LNG Carrier Reported Ablaze in the Mediterranean
A Russian LNG carrier that has been sanctioned and operates in the shadow fleet is reported to be ablaze and drifting in the Mediterranean after one or more explosions. Official sources have not confirmed the reports, noting that no distress signal was put out, but videos are circulating online, and the incident is being widely reported by security analysts and local media.
The vessel is being identified as the Arctic Metagaz (77,551 dwt), which is believed to be laden after taking on a cargo in the Russian Arctic last month. While the vessel has been operating in the dark, it briefly transmitted an AIS signal late on Monday, which placed it south of Malta, traveling at 16 knots, with a declared destination of Port Said, Egypt. It was likely heading to China.
Maltese media is reporting the vessel is approximately 150 nautical miles to the southeast of the island, raising questions about whether it is in Malta's or Libya’s area of responsibility. Maltese political opposition leader Alex Borg posted on social media saying he had consulted with the government and they were monitoring the situation. Malta’s Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet commented.
The media reports also indicate that Malta, along with Germany and Turkey, is believed to have maritime monitoring planes in the air circling the location of the tanker. The video shows a large fire at the forward section of the gas carrier.
The video is so far unconfirmed. Additionally, reports are beginning to circulate online speculating that the vessel was attacked by Ukrainian forces, possibly operating from Libya. No one has taken credit for an attack.
? ??????????? ???? ????? ?????????? ??????? Arctic Metagaz https://t.co/TuVXeiWxG9pic.twitter.com/bvjka1EL7j
— The Insider (@the_ins_ru) March 3, 2026
The reports said the vessel experienced an explosion and that another commercial ship nearby was providing assistance. The crew, according to those reports, has been accounted for and transferred to the other vessel.
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The LNG carrier currently using the name Arctic Metagaz was built in 2003 and has also used the identities Metagas Energy and Everest Energy at different times in 2023 and 2024. It reported operations under the flags of Palau, as well as Curaçao (false) and Saint Maarten (false), and has been under the Russian flag since April last year. Equasis lists its commercial managers in India.
The United States sanctioned the LNG carrier in August 2024 as one of seven vessels it linked to the Arctic LNG 2 project and reported as carrying out illegal ship-to-ship transfers. The EU and UK, as well as other countries, followed by listing the vessel in 2025.
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