The MV Ruby, a Maltese-registered cargo ship, has been drifting at sea for six weeks after being damaged shortly after departing from Russia. Ports across Europe have not allowed the ship to dock due to its contents and compromised condition. according to new York Times, is a ship CIt is carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a chemical commonly used in agricultural fertilizers. Due to the dangerous nature of its cargo and the ship being damaged, no port has allowed entry for long-term repairs, leaving MV Ruby in limbo.
When improperly stored or exposed to stresses such as heat and pressure, ammonium nitrate can be highly volatile and explosive. Notably, ammonium nitrate was the same substance responsible for the devastating Beirut port explosion in August 2020, which killed 200 people, displaced 300,000 and caused £15 billion in damage to the Lebanese capital. What is worrying is that the cargo of MV Ruby is almost seven times more. A potential explosion equivalent to an atomic bomb has raised serious concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure the safe disposal or repair of the ship.
Over the weekend, the MV Ruby remained 14 miles off the coast of Kent in southeastern England, where it has been for the past month, according to reports. NYT.
The ship, registered in Malta and owned by Ruby Enterprises, is managed by UAE-based Serenity Shipping, but its Russian cargo has raised suspicions. Its halted voyage has raised concerns among governments that it may be a Trojan horse intended to damage vital shipping and port infrastructure.
The ship’s voyage began in late August from the Russian port of Kandalaksha, with its destination listed as the Canary Islands. However, after suffering damage, Ruby attempted to dock at Norwegian and Lithuanian ports, but was rejected due to safety concerns. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis clarified that despite there being no evidence of malicious intent, the country cannot lower its vigilance when dealing with Russia.
“When we are dealing with Russia or other international actors that are not friendly towards us, we always keep this possibility in mind,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.
Swedish authorities also refused to berth the ship at the ports of Gothenburg and Udevalla, which are close to populated areas.
After this, MV Ruby went to Britain, where it was rigorously examined. Lithuania’s former ambassador to Britain, Aitvydas Bazarunas, described the ship as a “floating megabomb”, warning of possible Russian subversion in a think tank column.
Managers of the MV Ruby have requested permission to dock, transfer its 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate to another ship and make necessary repairs. However, the British authorities have not yet responded. Meanwhile, the ship has refueled while anchored at sea, according to the British Coast Guard.