Prime Minister Robert Abela is 'convinced' that a permanent solution for the damaged Russian tanker floating off Malta needs to be found in the coming hours or days.

The damaged Russian tanker called the Arctic Metagaz is suspected to be part of Russia's shadow fleet of energy tankers trying to bypass sanctions imposed on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. The tanker suffered an explosion on 4 March, and Russia alleged that an attack by Ukrainian sea drones was to blame.

Speaking to the press, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the tanker, which had been evacuated, is drifting 54 nautical miles from Malta. While stressing that the country has a contingency plan should the need arise, he said wants a permanent solution to be found.

Abela spoke to the press following a Cabinet meeting that took place in Hal Far related to security. Asked at what stage Malta's contingency plan would start to be actuated, The Prime Minister said that those are circumstances which were discussed internally, including with technical persons and with the leadership of the disciplined forces and the law and security forces, but said that they would remain confidential.

Asked whether he could give any details as to what the plan would entail at this stage, the Prime Minister said that he hopes "that the contingency plan would not need to be activated." 

He said that currently the gas tanker is disabled and drifting with the currents. "According to the current, there are different countries that can be impacted." He said that his aim is for a permanent solution to be found to this issue. He said that the tanker has natural gas onboard, as well as hundreds of tonnes of heavy fuel oil. "The situation is not tenable for me, to continue seeing this tanker floating, disabled and drifting. Even at EU level my message was that we need to find a lasting solution. We are exploring what these solutions can be, and not one of them is easy. But I am convinced that in the coming hours or days we need to find that lasting solution."

Asked whether there are discussions at EU level, or if the government is seeking support from the EU over the tanker issue, The Prime Minister said that there is a Med9 initiative, adding that the nine member states of the EU are working collectively.  He said that he has also held a discussion through messages with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni through messages. 

"On a local level we are prepared for any contingency," he said, adding that the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta are monitoring the situation. "Last week we met a number of times to prepare for any eventuality that could be needed," he said referring to the local authorities.

"I also informed the President of the EU Council and the President of the European Commission, and so they are aware of the circumstances."

He said that the tanker is inside Malta's Search and Rescue Area currently, not in Malta's territorial waters. He said that the authorities will continue following the situation.

The Prime Minister said that there was communication by the Maltese authorities with the vessel owners. 

He said that he is informed that they also spoke to the lawyers of the owners of the ship. "But until now that permanent solution has not been found."

Asked whether the P71, which was the largest patrol boat which the government had inaugurated in 2023 but is currently being repaired, could be used in similair situations in the future, Abela said that the P71 is currently disabled due to repairs taking place, but added that it is not a vessel used for towage. "It is a vessel used for surveillance. For the case in question, the contingency plan says, among other things, that there should be a tug boat or tug boats that are good for the kind of towage that would be needed. The contingency plan does not foresee the use of AFM assets, but the use of other assets."

He reiterated that the contingency plan has not been executed and hopes it won't need to be. "We have everything in place so that if there is the need, we will execute the contingency plan. We are closely monitoring the weather conditions. We ensured that there will be all the assets needed in case there is the need to trigger the plan."

Abela said that he is not only looking at the Malta-related aspect. "I am looking at Malta primarily, but also at other EU countries, and other countries, at how they could be impacted if this vessel is left floating as it is. That is why there is this initiative at Med9 level," and he added that the issue will also be brought up at Foreign Affairs Council level. He said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg will be participating in this council.

He said that there were moments when the Russian vessel entered the Italian Search and Rescue zone and also Libya's. "Currently it is in Malta's. It is in the interest of a number of countries, and also the EU to find a lasting solution so that this ship no longer remains a maritime hazard, as it is now."

Asked about the Maltese soldiers who are part of a Mission of Peace in Lebanon, the Prime Minister said that they are in South Lebanon. "I was in contact with some family members and we are seeing that they are kept safe in this difficult situation."