A heavily damaged 600-foot cargo ship, the MV Ruby, has been left stranded off the northern European coast as ports refuse to allow it to dock, fearing its explosive cargo could turn it into a “floating mega bomb.”

The vessel, which is carrying 20,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, has been floating in limbo due to concerns over both its dangerous cargo and its potential use as a Trojan horse for sabotage.

Fears over explosive cargo ship

Port officials are particularly alarmed by the ammonium nitrate on board the MV Ruby, a substance known for its explosive potential. A much smaller quantity of ammonium nitrate was responsible for the devastating 2020 Port of Beirut explosion, which caused widespread destruction. According to The New York Times, the cargo raises significant safety concerns among European authorities, adding to their hesitation in allowing the ship to dock.

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Suspected Trojan horse?

Beyond the immediate danger posed by the explosive material, European officials are wary of the vessel’s origins. The MV Ruby, owned by the Maltese company Ruby Enterprise and registered in Malta, set sail from the Russian port of Kandalaksha. Given the tensions between Russia and Europe, many fear that the ship could be part of a larger geopolitical strategy, potentially posing a threat to European ports.

“When we are dealing with Russia or other international actors that are unfriendly to us, we always keep this possibility in mind,” said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. His remarks came after the country’s prime minister informed Parliament that Lithuania would not permit the ship to dock. Other European nations have followed suit, leaving the ship stranded near the southeastern coast of England with a damaged propeller and cracked hull.

A doomed voyage of the ship

The ill-fated journey of the MV Ruby began in August when it departed from Kandalaksha, located on Russia’s northwestern coast, destined for ports in Africa. However, shortly after leaving port, the vessel ran aground, sustaining significant damage that forced it to abandon its original route. Since then, the ship has navigated along the European coastline, desperately seeking a port willing to allow repairs and inspections. So far, none have agreed. The vessel’s uncertain status has only deepened as media attention has increased.

Norwegian inspection and media backlash

The MV Ruby’s troubles were compounded when it sailed to Norway, where it was detained near the city of Tromsø by port officials. Inspectors from the Norwegian Maritime Authority boarded the vessel to assess the damage. “There were damages to the rudder, and propeller, and some cracks in the hull. As far as we know, the damages have not affected the cargo on board,” said a spokesman for the authority, speaking to The Times.

Despite the inspection, fear and media speculation have left port authorities across Europe unwilling to take the risk of allowing the ship to dock. “Unfortunately, due to the media speculation that has surrounded this vessel, port terminals in the UK are reticent to take the vessel in,” the ship’s manager said in a statement.

For now, the MV Ruby remains stranded, its future uncertain as it drifts near Europe’s shores. The United Arab Emirates has publicly stated that the ship poses no threat to its people, but European nations remain cautious. As the situation unfolds, the fate of the vessel and its dangerous cargo continues to hang in the balance.