Times Talk: The inside story of a dangerous drifting tanker no-one will claim

A Russian oil tanker loaded with hundreds of tonnes of fuel is currently adrift more than 100km southwest of Malta, two weeks after a massive explosion forced its crew to abandon ship.

Russia has not moved to recover it and no country, including Malta, will touch it. All eyes remain on the vessel as authorities fear it could explode.  

In this 20-minute episode, Times Talk discusses the inside story of how Times of Malta brought the Russian tanker story to light, what authorities are saying in public and fearing behind closed doors, and how the government went from denying concerns to asking the EU for help.

Times of Malta journalist and fact-checker Neville Borg, who has been following the story since the explosion more than two weeks ago, says the details on what happened or who attacked it are scant, although Russia claims the vessel was attacked by Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the tanker remains adrift, on occasion floating closer to Malta.

Borg explains the tanker does not seem to be sinking. It has a gaping hole on its side, caused by the explosion, but it does not seem to be taking in water, which further complicates matters.

Some sources say it might be best for everyone if it sinks. It would be the least legally messy solution, though still an ecological mess nonetheless, given it is loaded with 60,000 tonnes of gas and hundreds of tonnes of fuel.

"It wouldn't be among the worst ecological disasters, but it's not ideal at all. The worst worry at this point is that it might explode," Borg explained.

"It's like a floating, directionless bomb - it could be dangerous to other vessels in the vicinity, because nobody is controlling it."

He says Maltese authorities are worried behind closed doors, even though the government initially brushed away concerns.

"They are worried, yes. They're saying it is an unprecedented situation: there's never been an unmanned, uncontrolled, dangerous tanker adrift like this one," he said.

"And what's even more worrying is that there is no clear solution yet."

Watch the entire episode on Times of Malta, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.