Robert Abela says Malta prepared as damaged tanker drifts towards island

Malta is prepared for any eventuality as a damaged Russian tanker carrying around 700 metric tons of fuel and tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) drifts towards the island, Prime Minister Robert Abela reassured on Sunday.

Addressing a political event in Paola, Abela reassured the public that the government has contingency plans should the 244-metre-long Arctic Metagaz enter Malta’s territorial waters.

The vessel, which is 43 metres wide, could approach Malta’s territorial zone by Sunday evening.

Abela said: “We are prepared for every eventuality”.

He continued: “We want to give you peace of mind that Malta is prepared, Malta is strong and Malta is organised.”

On Saturday, Times of Malta was informed that the island had activated an emergency contingency plan.

Abela said the government had also engaged with international counterparts as the tanker continued drifting in the Mediterranean.

The tanker, which reportedly suffered a suspected missile attack earlier this month, was drifting around 50 nautical miles southeast of Malta on Saturday, raising fears of environmental damage and maritime safety risks.

Abela said determining whether the damage was caused by an attack was a “secondary issue” at this stage.

War and fuel

Abela also addressed concerns about energy prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and tensions in the Gulf.

Oil and natural gas prices have surged after Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the global oil and gas trade, raising fears of supply disruptions and price spikes.

Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 16 oil, cargo and other tankers have reportedly been attacked while attempting to cross the strait, according to a New York Times analysis.

Malta is partly shielded from immediate price fluctuations through hedging agreements that lock in the prices at which the country imports gas and other fuels.

Abela stressed the importance of these arrangements.

“We will maintain the subsidies.”

Sources indicate that Malta’s gas prices are secured until the summer, while petrol prices are expected to remain fixed until the end of the year. Diesel prices are not believed to be covered by such agreements.

Abela pointed to Sicily as an example of rising energy costs.

“There were times when the price of diesel was double that of Malta,” he said, adding that Malta has the cheapest diesel in the European Union.

Neutrality and foreign policy

In the context of the regional conflict, the prime minister also spoke about Malta’s foreign policy.

He said his government opposed oppression and would defend people suffering under oppressive forces. As an example, he referred to Malta’s recent recognition of Palestine.

Abela also cited the legacy of former prime minister Dom Mintoff’s foreign policy.

“The politics of peace, the politics of neutrality, the politics of refusing to have a military base in our country.”

He contrasted Malta’s position with that of some European countries hosting foreign military bases, noting that some had been targeted following the outbreak of war.

The  UK’s Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus, was attacked during the conflict.

Abela urged greater emphasis on diplomacy, saying governments should invest in dialogue rather than weapons.

Finances

Turning to economic matters, Abela defended the government’s financial strategy despite global uncertainty.

He described the 2026 Budget as “the biggest budget in Maltese history”, with total spending of €9.3 billion.

He said the government had continued implementing measures announced in the budget.

Among these is a scheme providing €500 to more than 7,000 families with children in Years 10 and 11 to help them invest in technology for their education.

The government has also introduced a second cost-of-living adjustment measure and recently allocated an additional €27 million in support measures benefiting around 62,500 people.

Abela also praised Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who announced in parliament that Malta has a financial “warchest” of €250 million to cushion the economic impact of the conflict in the Gulf.

The Opposition

Abela criticised the Opposition’s economic proposals, describing them as “the politics of punishment”.

He said the opposition’s model placed a heavier burden on individuals rather than the government.

The prime minister also referred to the recent controversy involving Labour MEP Daniel Attard.

Last May, Belgian prosecutors asked the European Parliament to lift Attard’s parliamentary immunity so they could question him as part of a cash-for-influence investigation.

However, reports this week indicated prosecutors had mistakenly identified Attard and had been referring to another person with the same name, the mayor of Għasri.

Attard attended the political event in Paola on Sunday.

Abela described the Nationalist Party’s previous commentary on the matter as “insensitive attacks” and also referenced the comments they made about Carmelo Abela.

“Have you ever heard them say a single apologetic word? That’s their politics. To punish and attack people relentlessly on a personal level.”

Civil protection and Freedom Day

Abela said the Cabinet will meet on Monday out of Castille and  “with the people” at the Civil Protection Department.

He also announced that the government will soon unveil a new collective agreement for Malta’s security forces.

With Freedom Day approaching, he said an event will be held in Vittoriosa on the eve of the national holiday.