The English Channel, a waterway with a long and storied history, has been a vital trade route for centuries. Every day, hundreds of vessels pass through this narrow yet busy stretch of water, ferrying goods, people, and sometimes controversial cargo. But do we really know what travels through our waters? A recent case involving the Maltese-flagged cargo ship, Ruby, which is carrying a potentially explosive cargo of ammonium nitrate, raises some important questions.
The Unusual Journey of the Ruby
The Ruby is a cargo ship that has garnered international attention due to its cargo: 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. This compound, while commonly used as a fertiliser, is highly explosive under the right conditions. In 2020, ammonium nitrate was the catalyst for a catastrophic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, which caused widespread devastation and loss of life. To put this into perspective, the Ruby is carrying approximately seven times the amount of ammonium nitrate that led to the Beirut disaster.
The ship set off from the port of Kandalaksha in northern Russia in July. However, its journey has not been without incident. Shortly after departing, the Ruby reportedly ran aground after encountering a storm, which raised concerns about the safety of both the vessel and its cargo. After continuing its route around the Kola Peninsula, it eventually docked in Tromsø, Norway, where its seaworthiness came under scrutiny.
Norway’s Maritime Authority ordered an inspection by DNV Group, a classification society specialising in maritime safety and environmental standards. The examination revealed damage to the ship’s hull, propeller, and rudder, yet it was still deemed “seaworthy.” As a precautionary measure, DNV Group, along with the Maltese flag registry, insisted that a tug escort the Ruby for the remainder of its journey.
Denied Access: Safety Concerns in Other Countries
The journey of the Ruby has been a contentious one. It has faced rejection from entering waters in several countries, including Sweden and Lithuania. While there are no immediate suggestions that the cargo poses a direct danger, the reluctance of these nations to allow the vessel into their territories speaks volumes about the potential risk they perceive.
During its journey south along Norway’s coast and through the North Sea, the Ruby was accompanied by an escort tug, the Amber II. This escort was meant to ensure that the ship’s damaged state would not pose a significant risk as it traversed through some of the world’s busiest and most important waterways. However, on a recent Thursday morning, Amber II left the Ruby and set its course eastward, with Rotterdam in the Netherlands as its listed destination.
Approaching UK Waters
The Ruby recently anchored around 15 miles (25km) northeast of Margate, Kent, near the Dover Strait, which is a vital passage within the English Channel. This narrow stretch is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, where vessels of all kinds pass through daily. The Ruby’s presence in the area has prompted the HM Coastguard to monitor its progress closely, ensuring the ship and its cargo are tracked as they pass through UK waters.
It is important to note that, according to the most recent tracking data, the Ruby was in the North Sea near the Kent coast, and its current listed destination is Marsaxlokk in Malta. However, Maltese authorities have stipulated that the ship can only enter their country if it unloads its cargo beforehand. This requirement highlights the hesitancy and caution surrounding the ship’s cargo of ammonium nitrate and the potential hazards it may pose.
Lessons from the Past: The Danger of Ammonium Nitrate
While ammonium nitrate is a widely transported and commonly used material, particularly in agriculture, it has a dark side. Under certain conditions, the compound is highly volatile and can cause massive explosions. The disaster in Beirut is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the improper storage and transportation of this chemical. In that case, a significant quantity of ammonium nitrate, stored improperly over a period of years, was the cause of a catastrophic explosion that claimed over 200 lives and caused immense damage to the city.
The Ruby, now carrying approximately 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, represents a significant volume of this potentially dangerous substance. Given its history of damage and the multiple refusals of safe harbour by several countries, it raises a critical question about maritime safety: how do we ensure that hazardous materials are transported securely and responsibly through some of the busiest waters in the world?
The English Channel: A Gateway of Risk?
The English Channel is not just a vital trade route for the UK and Europe but also a potential gateway for hazardous materials. With the sheer volume of maritime traffic passing through daily, how certain can we be of what travels past our doorstep? Ships like the Ruby, while carrying materials used for productive purposes like fertiliser, may also carry risks that could have dire consequences if accidents were to occur.
The HM Coastguard’s decision to monitor the progress of the Ruby is a prudent step, ensuring that the vessel’s journey through UK waters is managed carefully. However, the case also underscores the importance of transparency and stringent regulations when it comes to transporting potentially dangerous cargo. The fact that the Ruby has faced restrictions in other nations but is still traversing UK waters highlights a potential gap in maritime security and raises concerns about how similar incidents might be managed in the future.
Conclusion: What Lies Beneath the Waves?
The journey of the Ruby through the English Channel is a reminder of the hidden dangers that might pass through our waters unnoticed. It brings to light the need for robust oversight, effective maritime regulation, and international cooperation to ensure that potentially hazardous materials are transported safely and responsibly. As the Ruby continues its journey, monitored closely by the authorities, it also serves as a warning for greater awareness of what passes our doorstep and how we can safeguard our coasts and communities from potential harm.
In an era where global trade is essential but safety must not be compromised, it is crucial that we ask the question: do we truly know what passes through our waters? And more importantly, are we prepared to deal with the consequences if things go wrong?