The long drift of the 'Arctic Metagaz': the video of the Maltese flyover of the drifting Russian tanker in the Mediterranean

At dawn, on the screens of the maritime coordination center in Valletta, a slow and stubborn dot moves southwest. It has no voice, it does not respond to radio calls. It is the shadow of a steel giant nearly three football fields long that has been drifting for days: the Arctic Metagaz, a damaged Russian oil and gas tanker, adrift, without a crew. In recent hours, it has crossed the ideal line that separates the Italian SAR zone from the Maltese one, and now it remains under the island's cone of attention.

However, the most awaited news comes clear: at the moment, "no spills at sea" are reported. Yet, in the belly of the wreck, there would be about 700 tons of diesel: a load not of LNG, but of onboard fuel that, if spilled, could turn a security emergency into an environmental disaster. The scenario remains dynamic and the timeline, precise: it is morning when the ship's course is updated, confirming the movement into the Maltese SAR zone and the absence of visible pollution.

Italy continues to monitor and offers support to the authorities in Valletta. The Maltese media outlet Newsbook has sent a correspondent with a private plane to monitor the situation and take footage. The risk of pollution is also alarming for Malta, and the upcoming days of bad weather raise concerns.

Where it is and how it moves: course, currents, wind

The Arctic Metagaz describes a drift conditioned by currents and winds typical of the central Mediterranean basin at this time. The trajectory, oscillating but generally oriented southwest relative to Malta, has definitively pushed it into the island's Search and Rescue Region, reducing the risk of entering the Italian responsibility zone.

Here’s how the #ArcticMetagaz looks.

Exclusive from @Newsbook_com_mt which this morning, with a private plane that took off from Malta, documented the wreck of the drifting Russian tanker.

https://t.co/aWkCzBGo77
pic.twitter.com/4Wnmhf1wdz

— Sergio Scandura (@scandura) March 15, 2026

The fact that the unit is uncrewed – and that there are no people on board – makes route forecasting a complex exercise: slight changes in weather and sea conditions are enough to alter speed and direction. The Notice to Mariners from Malta – with the requirement to keep a distance of 5 miles – should be read in this light: an unstable wreck is, in itself, a danger to navigation, as well as a potential environmental risk.

Environmental risks explained: LNG that evaporates, diesel that pollutes

The Arctic Metagaz is a methane carrier: its typical cargo is LNG (liquefied natural gas). A crucial clarification for readers: LNG, if released, tends to evaporate and disperse into the atmosphere in relatively short times, while remaining extremely flammable; on the other hand, the diesel on board (the fuel used by the engines and for ship services) can generate a stain that persists in the sea, with potential impact on marine fauna, coastal birds, and shorelines.

This is why the Italian and Maltese authorities, while reporting “no spills” today, are closely monitoring the estimated about 700 tons in the tanks: an amount that, in the event of a breach of the bulkheads or a sudden capsizing, could drastically complicate emergency management. Transport Malta and the specialized press have meanwhile reiterated the risks of fire and structural instability.