The owners and managers of a damaged cargo ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Russia say it has been stuck anchored 15 miles off Margate because media speculation over the explosive potential of its cargo has made UK ports reticent to take the vessel in.
The MV Ruby set off from the northern Russian port of Kandalaksha in August with its current destination listed as Malta.
The cargo ship, which is Maltese registered and carrying the ammonium nitrate cargo, previously reported a cracked hull and damage to its propeller and rudder following a grounding incident shortly after leaving Kandalaksha.
It has since been deemed seaworthy but is seeking a port in which to dock to undergo repairs.
The vessel ran aground in Norwegian territorial waters, whilst seeking shelter from a storm.
Her grounding resulted in hull, rudder and propeller damage. As a distressed ship, requiring a port of refuge, three countries refused to admit the vessel into port due to concerns over the cargo but she was allowed entry to the Norwegian port of Breivika, Tromso.
Whilst there Ruby was rapidly inspected and, soon after, was instructed to depart following temporary repairs. She travelled the Baltic for a period and then made a transit of the Straits.
Ammonium nitrate is the material involved in an explosion that destroyed part of Beirut in 2020, killing 200 people.
The vessel has now been anchored for over a week off the Margate coast while the owners, managers, P&I Club, insurers and UK authorities, including SOSREP and the Coastguard, work to find a solution to get the vessel into port.
HM Coastguard says the vessel is securely anchored after successfully completing refuelling at sea at 9.15pm on Saturday 28 September and that it has appropriate safety certificates approved by the vessel’s flag state and is able to make its own way.
A commercial tug is standing by the vessel at anchor and when underway.
The owners of the vessel are Cielo Shipping Pte. Ltd. and the management company Pacific Rim Shipping Management Pte. Ltd. The ship is operated by Serenity Ship Management, a Dubai-based company.
A spokesperson for the owning company said: “There has been considerable media speculation surrounding the bulk carrier Ruby, a Maltese owned and flagged vessel, since it left Kandalaksha, Russia on 22 August 2024.
“The media speculation has had a negative prejudicial effect on the vessel’s ability to undergo, what would be considered, routine operations to transfer the cargo of ammonium nitrate to another vessel, so the Ruby can undergo repairs, following a grounding incident shortly after leaving Kandalaksha.
“Ammonium nitrate is a commonly transported cargo by this method and poses no threat to the ship, crew or surrounding environment in the vessel’s current state.
“The vessel was cleared by its class surveyors, DNV, and by the Maltese Flag State in Tromso on 5 September following temporary repairs and an assessment that determined the vessel’s strength and stability were sufficient to proceed to a repair yard to effect permanent repairs, on the condition of tug assistance throughout.
“The vessel has now been anchored for over a week off the UK while the owners, managers, P&I Club, insurers and UK authorities, including SOSREP and the UK MCA, work hard to find a solution to get the vessel into port.
“Unfortunately, due to the media speculation that has surrounded this vessel, port terminals in the UK are reticent to take the vessel in.
“The vessel adheres to all international regulations and procedures through its flag state, Malta, maintains high technical standards for operation through its Classification Society DNV, is fully insured by a recognised international Hull & Machinery insurer, as well as an International Group P&I Club, and is owned and operated in a fully legal and transparent manner.
“The owners and managers would like to extend their sincere gratitude towards the UK authorities for their continuing support in helping to find a safe solution. Ship owners and managers are still hopeful that a solution can be found to assist in the current predicament in a safe manner.”
