A damaged cargo ship with ammonium nitrate struggles to find a safe port
The damaged cargo ship Ruby, linked to Russia and carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, did not enter the Baltic Sea over the weekend. The shipowner is still seeking a port where the dangerous cargo can be safely unloaded.
According to Marinetraffic.com, on Sunday afternoon MV Ruby was in international waters in the Skagerrak strait between Norway and Denmark.
Sea piloting order by the Danish Maritime Authority
The Danish Maritime Authority ordered the captain to request a sea pilot to help the ship navigate the shallow and narrow Danish straits. This request was made on Friday. However, this route is no longer relevant. "The reason for the change is the need to find a location where it will be possible to unload the ship of its dangerous cargo," officials from the Danish Maritime Authority highlighted in an email sent to TV2.
The mysterious ship did not arrive in port
As reported by the Swedish newspaper "Goeteborgs-Posten," the port in Goeteborg, among others, refused to accept the ship due to safety concerns. Previously, the authorities of Lithuania had denied permission for the vessel carrying explosive material to enter.
Reports indicate that the ship Ruby, registered in Malta, is controlled by a Lebanese company managed by Syrians. It transports cargo from Russia.
Problems en route to Las Palmas
Ruby set sail for Las Palmas in Mallorca, departing from the Russian port of Kandalaksha. While still in the Murmansk Oblast, the ship ran aground. Despite these damages, the vessel covered a distance of 1,000 miles, reaching Tromsoe in northern Norway, where it was denied entry. An inspection revealed six defects, including cracks in the hull and damage to the propeller and rudder. Irregularities in the crew's sailing qualifications were also discovered. The ship must use the assistance of a tugboat.
