Damaged ammonia ship heads to Malta

Denied entry to ports in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania, Malta-flagged vessel Ruby is now headed to Malta to offload its ammonium nitrate cargo, and repair its damaged hull and propulsion.

The vessel ran aground in a storm shortly after leaving the Russian port of Kandalaksha, sustaining cracks in its hull, and damage to its propeller and rudder.

But the conversation of how to handle the vessel’s explosive cargo is a fraught one. After being denied access to the Strait of Denmark, the vessel was refuelled at sea offshore of the UK before embarking through the Channel, accompanied Malta-flagged anchor handler Amber II.

“Vessels are not required to ask permission to travel through UK territorial waters for legitimate purposes,” one UK Coastguard spokesperson told Ship Repair Newsletter. “The vessel has appropriate safety certificates approved by the vessel’s flag state and is able to make its own way. HM Coastguard is in regular contact with the vessel and is monitoring its progress.”

The Maltese destination port appears to have changed several times between Marsaxlokk and Valletta, before apparently settling on the former. But the vessel still has a long way to go before it reaches them. Malta is home to Malta Dockyard, owned and operated by Palumbo Shipyards.