Libyan authorities have essentially stopped efforts to secure the troubled LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz. The ship has been towed far out to sea and is now drifting near the edge of Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone, according to maritime tracking data, regional media, and open-source intelligence reports.

The tanker is currently located about 105 nautical miles north-northeast of Misrata, close to the boundary of Malta's SAR zone, after being towed past a Libyan port without making any stops.

The Russian-linked tanker, which has been disabled by explosions and fire on March 3, had been part of a towing operation led by Libyan officials to prevent an environmental disaster and ensure the vessel stayed clear of offshore oil facilities. This ship, viewed as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” by Western officials, has been drifting without a crew since they were evacuated following the incident.

Libyan authorities had announced plans to offload the remaining LNG and fuel onboard in a controlled manner. However, recent developments suggest that Libyan officials' earlier intentions to bring the vessel to port—likely Misrata—for offloading and stabilization have changed.

Officials from Libya’s General Administration for Coast Security and the National Oil Corporation, who were leading the operation, did not reply to requests for comments.

This shift raises concerns about whether Libya has completely abandoned plans for salvage. Reports from Maltese and Libyan media indicate that the towline has been cut and most support vessels have returned to port, leaving the tanker unmonitored in international waters.

Weather conditions in the central Mediterranean are expected to worsen in the coming days, increasing the risk that the heavily damaged vessel could sink. Images shared on Tuesday show the ship leaning significantly, with the stern close to the waterline, indicating that its buoyancy is deteriorating.

Analysts believe that the week-long towing process may have caused further structural damage, possibly allowing more seawater to enter the ship.

By moving the vessel over 100 nautical miles offshore and back toward where the incident occurred, Libyan authorities have reduced the immediate risk to their coastline. However, the bigger question remains about who will ultimately salvage the vessel.

With prevailing wind patterns in the coming days likely pushing the vessel north-northeast away from Libya and back into the Maltese SAR zone, responsibility for the ship might shift again to Malta.