The MV Ruby releases ammonium nitrate into the ocean off Great Yarmouth
Posted on Nov 30, 2024 at 04:11 PM
Weeks after finding haven in Great Yarmouth, UK, the Malta-flagged cargo ship Ruby, carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, is once again at the centre of controversy.
After the ship briefly departed port over the weekend and returned on Monday, November 18, to finish discharging and transshipping the cargo, local political leaders voiced their displeasure.
Dangerous Cargo: Higher Risk and Unpredictability
Political leaders have called for the government to ban a ship from returning to port, citing its cargo's seven-fold greater danger than the ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut in 2020. They accuse the Secretary of State of allowing the ship into Great Yarmouth in the first place.
According to media sources, some of the cargo had been discovered to be polluted, which made it less stable and maybe more hazardous. The facility's operator, Peel Ports, would only confirm that the ship briefly went to sea for "operational reasons" in a statement.
As reported by the media, the Ruby moved around 11 or 12 nautical miles offshore and was circling according on the AIS signal.
According to the allegations, some of the ship's cargo was thrown at sea when it sailed on Saturday, November 16, then returned on Monday, November 18.
Without giving specifics, the Maritime Coastguard Agency reported a small amount of contaminated cargo was found and successfully removed, with Health & Safety Executive inspectors monitoring the vessel and unloading procedure.
Significantly, Shipping Training Courses in Dubai are now placing a strong focus on regulations and equipping professionals with the necessary knowledge to ensure compliance in response to all environmental challenges.
Impact on Marine Life
Environmentalists quickly pointed out that ammonium nitrate is harmful when it comes into contact with seawater. They claimed that it is harmful to fish and may hasten the growth of algae.
Moreover, the Maritime Coastguard Agency and HSE provided advice for the operation, and the Department for Transport reacted to the objections by stating that they were certain the vessel was still meeting safety regulations.
Besides, they referred to the bulker's docking as a “commercial decision,” emphasising that there was no legal justification for denying admission.
As per the agreement reached in late October, the Ruby was to be anchored in Great Yarmouth's outer harbour. The cargo that is being moved to another bulker that is also run by Serenity Shipping of the United Arab Emirates will be offloaded by her. On October 29, the bulker Zimrida (37,296 dwt) registered in Barbados reached Great Yarmouth.
Operational Plan for Cargo Transfer
The procedure's duration is unknown, but reports suggest some cargo has already been moved between ships, with some suggesting the tainted shipment may have slowed it down.
The tale gained international attention after Norwegian officials forced a ship to leave Tromsø in September due to dangerous cargo. This led to management complaints about media attention and misrepresentations of the goods, complicating the freight transfer.
Eventually, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Lithuania denied the ship admission into port, although its class society DNV and port state Malta agreed that it needed a tug escort until repairs to the hull, rudder, and propeller were completed.
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