The Arrival of a Damaged Ship with Explosion Risk in Great Yarmouth

A vessel that sustained damage and was denied entry by several nations due to concerns about its contents is now docked on the East coast at Great Yarmouth. The MV Ruby was compelled to discharge 300 hundred tonnes of its cargo into the North Sea, which generated public criticism. The ship departed from the port of Kandalaksha in northern Russia in July, transporting 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, with Africa as its intended destination. However, the vessel’s hull and propeller were damaged after it ran aground during adverse weather conditions. According to reports, authorities in Lithuania and Sweden declined to permit the ship to enter their territorial waters. The MV Ruby was subsequently moored in the English Channel until inclement weather necessitated its anchoring off the coast of Margate in Kent, before it proceeded northwards along the East coast to Great Yarmouth in October. The reason for its initial authorization to dock at the Norfolk port remains unclear. After it disposed of 300 tonnes of potentially contaminated cargo on Saturday, it returned to Great Yarmouth to offload the remaining fertiliser prior to undergoing repairs. The Department for Transport (DfT) stated: “The decision to allow the MV Ruby back into Great Yarmouth port was a commercial one, agreed between the ship operator and the port.” In response to inquiries from the BBC, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) indicated that bags containing ammonium nitrate, stored in the front hold, had come into contact with fuel oil and seawater following the grounding incident. As the cargo was potentially contaminated, it was disposed of “at a site agreed with the relevant authorities in UK territorial waters that offered the lowest possible environmental impacts”. Nevertheless, this decision drew censure from local environmentalists and business owners. Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of East Anglia, expressed skepticism regarding the MCA’s assurances that the ammonium nitrate would dissipate. “Yes, everything dissipates eventually but that’s not without massive detriment to our local environment,” he said. He further asserted that the decision would have a “devastating impact on local maritime species”. While the vessel was anchored off Kent, its operator, Dubai-based Serenity Ship Management, declared that the load posed “no risk to the surrounding area in its present state”. The MCA added: “Ammonium nitrate is managed safely at ports across the world. “It is regularly imported into the UK and the normal safety processes will be in place.” However, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), “contamination of ammonium nitrate is generally expected to increase the likelihood of an explosion if that ammonium nitrate is subject to a severe fire and/or an intense shock”. The addition of diesel fuel creates a mixture known as ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil), which is among the most widely used explosives. A paper published by Oxford University’s chemistry department characterized ANFO as “quite resistant to explosion and needs a substantial booster explosive so accidental explosions are rare”. The MV Ruby is registered in Malta, where local business records identify its owner as a company called Ruby Enterprise. Recent financial statements suggest the vessel’s value is approximately 11m Euros. Abdul Samin, who served as the ship’s captain in 2017, stated that the vessel was constructed in South Korea. As a highly experienced marine surveyor, he further commented: “Sadly, a lack of understanding at some of the ports where the ship sought refuge, coupled with intense media scrutiny, led to confusion and delays in decision-making. “I would like to clarify that ammonium nitrate, in its shipped form, is not inherently explosive. “It only becomes dangerous if it’s contaminated with substances like oil or deliberately altered for explosive use.” Mr Samin informed the BBC that he was favorably impressed by the manner in which the UK authorities “handled the situation”. He concluded: “Their decisions were thoughtful, informed, and demonstrated a high level of expertise. It reassured me that the maritime industry is in good hands.” The BBC has not succeeded in reaching Ruby Enterprise for comment. The company responsible for the vessel’s management has been asked for a statement. For updates on Norfolk news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.