Concerns Rise Over Damaged Ship Carrying Ammonium Nitrate
The Maltese cargo ship Ruby, which is currently stranded in the English Channel near the French coast, is carrying a staggering 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, a substance known for its explosive potential. After suffering severe damage during a storm, the ship has been unable to find a port willing to accept it, raising alarm among authorities across Europe.
The Ruby, measuring 183 meters in length and owned by Ruby Enterprise, departed from Kandalaksha, Russia, on August 22. Following a violent storm that damaged its propulsion system, rudder, and hull, the ship was forced to seek refuge in the Norwegian port of Tromso. However, the Norwegian authorities deemed it unsafe for docking and ordered the ship back to sea. Subsequent requests for docking in Lithuania were denied, leaving the Ruby drifting dangerously close to populated areas.
As the ship continues to sail aimlessly, fears of a catastrophic incident have intensified. Experts warn that ammonium nitrate can be highly explosive, particularly when exposed to heat or contamination. This concern echoes the tragic explosion that occurred in Beirut in 2020, which resulted in 235 deaths and over 6,000 injuries, despite the fact that the amount stored in Beirut was seven times less than what the Ruby carries.
The British newspaper The Telegraph has raised alarms about the potential for a disaster, suggesting that the ship could explode with the force of an atomic bomb if conditions worsen. In response to these fears, French authorities have assured the public that they are prepared to intervene and assist the Ruby on the high seas, negating the need for a port stop.
As the situation unfolds, the European Policy Analysis Center has called for urgent solutions to address the risks posed by the Ruby, emphasizing the need for coordinated action among EU nations to prevent a potential maritime disaster.
