Sanctioned Russian LNG Tanker Arctic Metagaz Catches Fire in Mediterranean

The Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker Arctic Metagaz, subject to U.S. and UK sanctions, caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta. Maritime security sources reported the incident on March 3. While Malta's armed forces stated the crew was found safe in a lifeboat within Libya's search-and-rescue zone, other sources indicated the crew's fate was unknown. The vessel's last known position was off Malta's coast on March 2, according to ship tracking data.