Since October 7, the Ruby MVa Maltese-flagged cargo ship carrying a Russian cargo of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, was wandering in the English Channel. The ship has been looking for a port for weeks and has finally found a base: it is anchored in the west of the Thames estuary, in the North Sea on the English side, announces the maritime prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea in a press release this Wednesday.
Refusal to welcome
Its loading was extremely worrying: ammonium nitrate is regularly used as fertilizer, but can also be used in the manufacture of explosives. “ It is extremely explosive, especially when exposed to fire or contamination », explains the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Since August 22, the date on which the Ruby left the Russian port of Kandalaksha, the ship and its crew of 20 Syrians suffered a propulsion failure, a rudder fault and its hull was damaged. Several countries refused to welcome him.
Despite the relative proximity of Ruby with the French coasts, the prefecture wants to reassure. According to experts based in Brest, “ at this stage and based on the elements transmitted, there is no risk of explosion of the cargo, given its type of packaging “. Which does not prevent the French authorities from “ stay alert » : « The permanent maritime and air-maritime alert and intervention system deployed by the French State would be able to intervene if necessary. »
