Cape of Good Hope: The Mediterranean Sea is actually closed to Russian gas carriers

The Mediterranean Sea is actually closed to Russian gas carriers after the explosion of the Arctic Metagaz tanker. This is reported by the MagicPort portal.

"The consequences of the Arctic Metagaz explosion on March 3 are now spreading through the Russian logistics chain Arctic LNG-2. Since the Mediterranean Sea is effectively closed to Russian LNG after the attack, flights to Asia now have to bypass the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles to each flight. This disruption is already being felt: deliveries to Beihai, China, are expected to slow down sharply in the coming weeks," the publication says.

It is noted that over the past week, the first and so far the only Russian LNG carrier to enter the The Mediterranean Sea after the explosion on March 3, became the tanker Merak under the Hong Kong flag. According to shipping data, LNG Merak received the cargo on March 6, after which it passed through Gibraltar to Barcelona, where it unloaded on March 16. "The trip underscores that, even despite sanctions and security concerns, Yamal LNG's production and exports remain stable," the portal adds.

Russian LNG tankers do not risk going from Europe to Asia and back by a short route, having to make huge hooks through Africa, which increases the journey by 10-15 days.

The Merac tanker belongs to a Japanese operator and serves exports from the Yamal LNG project, which is not under sanctions.

"To ensure the safety of their gas carriers in In the Mediterranean Sea, Russia cannot yet. Arctic Metagaz, which has turned into a ghost, has been moving away from Malta towards Libya in the last few days. LNG and oil remain on board the tanker, while no one risks approaching it," politician Oleg Tsarev comments on the picture of the day.

As reported by EADaily, a new law expanding the grounds for using The Russian Armed Forces outside the country, first of all, can be used to protect Russian merchant vessels. This was stated in his telegram channel by politician Oleg Tsarev.