A Russian cargo ship carrying over 1,000 tons of ammonium nitrate remains stranded just off the coast of Kent in southeast England, after being denied entry to several European ports. Authorities are monitoring the ship, dubbed a “floating bomb” by experts, as it continues to pose a potential threat due to the volatile nature of its cargo.
The vessel, MV Ruby, has been anchored 15 miles from the English coast for weeks after being refused docking in Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania.
Ammonium nitrate, the chemical responsible for the 2020 Beirut explosion, is typically stable but could become highly dangerous if exposed to fire or other triggers.
Compounding the risks, the MV Ruby is anchored near the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II ship containing over 1,400 tons of munitions.
The ship reportedly suffered damage to its hull and rudder, heightening concerns about its safety in the English Channel, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
While a commercial tugboat is stationed nearby in case of emergency, no nation has yet agreed to accept the vessel’s cargo unless it is offloaded first. His Majesty’s Coastguard in England continues to monitor the situation closely.
