Russian Floating Bomb With 20,000 Tonnes Of Explosives Spotted Off Kent Coast

A Russian cargo ship, also known as the floating bomb, has been spotted near the Kent coast.

The cargo ship, MV Ruby, is carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, an explosive substance often used in fertilizers. The quantity is roughly seven times that of the deadly Beirut port explosion in 2020, which resulted in 218 deaths and over 7,000 injuries.

According to VesselFinder, the Ruby was spotted off Margate in Florida. The ship was ordered to leave Tromsø due to local authorities concerns about its risky cargo and damaged condition.

The Ruby loaded its cargo in Kandalaksha, Russia, on August 22 before heading to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. On September 3, it took refuge in Tromsø to escape a storm, but major damage to its hull, propeller, and rudder concerned the local residents since it was anchored near a university and hospital.

In an official statement, authorities confirmed the Ruby’s presence but did not clearly say that it posed an immediate explosion risk. However, they found the situation ‘not desirable’ due to the vessel’s hazardous cargo and proximity to populated regions.

The Ruby is currently floating three kilometers outside British waters, north of Margate, after being denied entry into several ports like Denmark and Klaipėda, Lithuania.

It is being towed by a tugboat while waiting for authorization to enter the Strait of Dover. Before it can proceed, the Ruby needs to inform authorities of its condition and potentially dangerous cargo.

Defense analyst Jens Wenzel Kristoffersen expressed concern about the ship’s condition and the environmental risks it poses.

Given the Ruby’s broken hull and rudder issues, he questioned whether it should remain at sea. Kristoffersen added, “This is a ship that nobody wants, but that nobody can get rid of.”

Although the Ruby is en route to Malta, local officials have stated that it will not be allowed to enter Maltese waters unless it unloads its explosive cargo. The vessel, owned by a Dubai-registered company, has been chartered by another Dubai-based firm with ties to Russia.

While ammonium nitrate can remain stable during transportation, experts warn that it can be dangerous if stored improperly.

Dan Kaszeta, a chemical weapons defense expert, stated that ammonium nitrate requires specific conditions to become dangerous, using the Beirut disaster as a warning of what may happen when safety measures are ignored.

The HM Coastguard maintains regular contact with the Ruby to monitor its movement and ensure the safety of nearby residents.

Reference: Daily Mail, The Telegraph

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