Maltese Cargo Wanders and Causes Concern

The Maltese freighter *MV Ruby*, carrying a dangerous cargo of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, is currently adrift in the English Channel after being refused docking several times. This is due to the worrying condition of the vessel, which has suffered a number of incidents, including hull damage, propulsion failure and a rudder fault. The 183-meter-long vessel, owned by Ruby Enterprise, is considered by many to be a veritable “floating bomb”.

A chaotic journey
Departing from Kandalakcha in Russia on August 22, the *MV Ruby* found itself caught in a violent storm, forcing it to make an emergency stopover in a Norwegian port. However, on September 4, the authorities asked her to leave, deeming her presence too risky. Since then, it has been wandering from port to port, looking for a place to unload its sensitive cargo. Lithuania also refused him entry, and now he’s off the British coast.

An explosive situation
Ammonium nitrate, while frequently used as a fertilizer, is also a key component in the manufacture of explosives. The Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) is sounding the alarm: this type of cargo is particularly dangerous when subjected to fire or contamination. This has prompted Paul Poulain, a specialist in industrial risk management, to assert: *He recommends transferring the cargo in small quantities to smaller vessels to minimize the risks.

A reminder of the Beirut tragedy
The spectre of the Beirut explosion in 2020, which killed 235 people and injured over 6,000, haunts people’s minds. The disaster, caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in the port, serves as a terrible lesson. However, the cargo of the *MV Ruby* was seven times this volume, amplifying fears of a catastrophe on a much larger scale.

The authorities try to reassure
On the part of the French authorities, the spokesman for the Préfecture Maritime de la Manche, Étienne Baggio, is appeasing: *We are monitoring the situation closely. We are in communication with the British authorities and the shipowner to intervene quickly if necessary “* However, no stopover is planned on French territory.

Malta Says “No”
In Malta, the supposed final destination of the *MV Ruby*, the situation is just as delicate. The Maltese authorities have already warned that the cargo ship will not be allowed to dock while it is carrying its explosive cargo. A challenge for the shipowner, as international pressure mounts for a rapid solution.

Uncertainty remains over the fate of this errant vessel, and the main question is still unanswered: where and how will it be able to unload its cargo without risk p