(Commonwealth_ The Malta-registered cargo ship Ruby has been the focus of intense international attention, with UK maritime authorities now closely monitoring its movements. The vessel, laden with 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, reportedly intended for use as fertilizer in the Canary Islands, has caused widespread concern due to the hazardous nature of its cargo. This attention has been heightened by the fact that the vessel sustained damage during an Arctic storm, which has complicated its situation.
The ship, managed by a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), found itself without a port of refuge after being turned away from several European ports. Norway, Lithuania, and Sweden all refused entry to the Ruby, citing concerns about its cargo and condition. Danish authorities also imposed restrictions on the ship’s movements, leaving Ruby to continue its journey southward, declaring Malta as its intended destination. Given that the ship is registered in Malta, the Maltese authorities, as the vessel’s port state, have been actively involved in the ongoing efforts to find a suitable port for the Ruby.
The cargo ship eventually reached the northeastern end of the English Channel, anchoring between the Netherlands and the UK. It later positioned itself off the coast of Kent, England, drawing extensive media coverage and sparking speculation over its movements. Despite assurances from maritime authorities in Norway, Sweden, and other countries that the ammonium nitrate cargo was securely stowed and posed minimal risk of an explosion, the situation attracted considerable attention due to the potentially hazardous nature of the cargo.
Currently, the Ruby is anchored approximately 14 miles off the coast of Kent. In response to the widespread media interest, HM Coastguard released a statement confirming that they are aware of the vessel’s presence and are maintaining “regular contact” with it. The authorities emphasized that the Ruby is “securely anchored outside UK territorial waters.” A spokesperson for HM Coastguard informed Express.co.uk that the Ruby was “waiting for appropriate conditions to refuel at sea before passing through the English Channel.” It was further clarified that the ship was not under any restrictions and did not require permission to continue its voyage.
However, there are certain precautions in place. The flag state and DNV, the ship’s classification society, have reportedly agreed that due to the ship’s conditions specifically, which are a crack in the hull and damage to both the propeller and rudder, it should be accompanied by a tugboat during its journey. Consequently, Amber II, an anchor-handling tug supply vessel also registered in Malta, has been assigned as Ruby’s escort. Amber II recently docked in the Netherlands, possibly taking the opportunity to replenish supplies or provide relief to its crew while Ruby remained at anchor.
The fate of the Ruby remains uncertain as maritime authorities and ship managers search for solutions to the logistical challenges posed by the cargo and the vessel’s current state. The Maltese authorities have made it clear that they would not permit the ship to enter a Maltese port unless the cargo is unloaded beforehand. This stance mirrors that of Lithuania, which imposed similar conditions when the vessel was initially expected to head to the Western Shipyard for repairs. The insistence on unloading the cargo first reflects the significant safety concerns associated with storing such a hazardous material, especially considering the damage to the vessel. In light of these restrictions, the latest speculation is that the vessel’s managers are exploring alternatives for handling the cargo, including finding smaller vessels to transfer the ammonium nitrate for temporary storage. This approach could alleviate the concerns of various port authorities and potentially facilitate Ruby’s entry into a port for repairs.
