'Floating time bomb' ship dumps potentially explosive substance in sea near UK county: Report

A 20,000-tonne load of Russian fertiliser contaminated by a potentially explosive substance was dumped in the sea off the coast of Norfolk, Daily Mail reported, quoting a council leader. The fertiliser contained an undisclosed amount of ammonium nitrate and was on a ship that had been damaged.

The MV Ruby, dubbed a ‘floating time bomb’, had sustained damage at sea. The Maltese-flagged vessel left the Russian port of Kandalaksha with its cargo in late August but later damaged its propellor, rudder, and hull. It was earlier refused to dock at ports in Norway and Lithuania because its load was considered dangerous. It then arrived in Great Yarmouth on October 28.

The operators were hoping to shift the cargo to another ship so that MV Ruby could be repaired. However, as per council chiefs, the operation could not go through as planned. Some of the fertiliser was found to be contaminated, so handling it was potentially risky.

The publication quoted ship tracker records to show that MV Ruby left the town’s outer harbour just after 10 am on Saturday. It sailed slightly beyond the 12-mile limit for international waters and circled around for more than 30 minutes.

It is being claimed that during this time it dumped the load into the North Sea and was later allowed back into port on Monday.

Ammonium nitrate is highly dangerous for all kinds of aquatic life. In fishes, ammonia can affect their nervous system and damage it. Meanwhile, nitrates, upon entering their bloodstreams, can make it harder for them to absorb oxygen.

Ammonium nitrate is dangerous to sea life

Ammonium nitrate can mix in with seawater easily, leading to the growth of algae at a much faster rate. This can result in the depletion of oxygen from the water.

Graham Plant, the deputy leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said he is disappointed to see the ship return to port.

"My limited understanding is that some of the cargo was found to be contaminated and somebody thought it was a good idea to dispose of it at sea," he said, as per Daily Mail.

"Personally, I didn’t want the ship here in the first place, and I am annoyed it has come back."

In a joint statement with Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig, he added, "We are extremely concerned that the Secretary of State’s representative has agreed that this ship can return to Great Yarmouth."

He said that the ship should never have come to the port in the first place because of the "potential risk of a major explosion that could have affected residents and businesses across Great Yarmouth."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Peel Ports, which operates the outer harbour at Great Yarmouth, refused to say anything on the matter. There was no confirmation or denial about whether or not ammonium nitrate was dumped at sea from the ship.

The firm issued a statement, saying, "The MV Ruby left port briefly for operational reasons but has since returned, and the transhipment of cargo to another vessel is ongoing."