Authorities say the ship is currently outside Malta’s territorial waters, meaning local authorities cannot intervene unless it enters Maltese jurisdiction.
The situation has raised questions over who is responsible for the ship and its cargo, as well as how any potential pollution would be handled if the vessel sinks.
Environmental concerns have also been flagged, though experts say the immediate risk appears limited.
University rector and chemist Alfred Vella explained that liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo typically evaporates quickly and rarely causes large explosions. However, the ship’s own fuel and bilge water could still pose environmental risks if they leak.
A spokesperson for Transport Malta said the agency is monitoring the situation closely.
“Though we do not have full visibility, we believe the risk is minimal,” the spokesperson said, adding that initial photos suggest the explosion did not trigger any oil spills.
Still, maritime observers warn the drifting wreck could pose a hazard to other vessels, especially if strong winds push it closer to Malta in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the crew of the damaged tanker, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, were rescued by another Russian vessel after abandoning ship in a lifeboat. They were later taken to Libya, where two crew members were treated for injuries.
The rescue tanker, Respect, has since changed course unexpectedly and is now heading westwards across the Mediterranean, north of Tunisia.
Weather forecasts suggest prevailing winds could continue pushing the damaged tanker closer to Malta over the coming days.