The International Maritime Organization revealed a number of plans to track oil tankers in Libya and enhance their protection.
According to the organization, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised the Libyan authorities for their handling of the Russian gas tanker Arctic Metagas crisis, highlighting their swift response in protecting Libya’s coastline, vital infrastructure, and marine environment.
In a letter addressed to the head of the Ports and Maritime Transport Authority, Mohammed Al-Siouwi, Dominguez confirmed the continued monitoring of the situation in coordination with the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean Action Plan Regional Activity Centre, both affiliated with the IMO and responsible for managing maritime emergencies in the region.
Dominguez also expressed the organization’s readiness to facilitate communication and provide technical and coordination support among all parties to help contain the situation and reduce potential risks.
According to the organization, the Chief of Staff of the Navy in eastern Libya announced last Thursday the formation of a monitoring unit to track the tanker’s movement and direction, and to take measures against any potential risks.
This comes as the Ports Authority confirmed the loss of control over the oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea after efforts to tow and contain it failed due to severe weather conditions, strong winds, and waves reaching up to five meters, according to the IMO.
