The National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed that no leaks have been detected from the cargo of the damaged Russian tanker Arctic Metagas, stressing that the environmental situation is completely safe with no signs of imminent risk. In a briefing issued Wednesday evening, the corporation stated that a specialized committee has been formed under the Government of National Unity, bringing together all relevant entities to take preventive and precautionary measures to limit any potential environmental damage and protect Libya’s coastline. It further explained that these tugboats will hand over the vessel to the marine tug Mirdive, commissioned by Mellitah Oil and Gas Company, to continue towing it to a safe location away from the coast and offshore oil platforms. The corporation emphasized that the top priority at this stage is ensuring the safety of coastal cities and protecting marine resources, while continuing to implement technical procedures in line with the highest environmental safety standards. Earlier, the NOC announced the activation of a central operations room to monitor and track the tanker’s status off the Libyan coast, affirming that the situation is under control and under continuous 24-hour monitoring.

Source: Libya Observer March 26, 2026 19:27 UTC