Vessel Ruby in News in connection with Beirut blast of 2020

Recently vessel Ruby is in news – it is damaged and not getting entry for repair at ports in European countries because its carrying 20,000 MT of Ammonium Nitrate which is used for agricultural purpose but is also an explosive and infamously it was same explosive that caused a devastating damage in 2020 at Bierut, Lebanon.

Vessel details –

  • Name – Ruby (IMO: 9626390)
  • Flag – Malta
  • Carries General Cargo, Dead Weight – 37,309 MT
  • Current Location – North Sea

Presently the vessel is carrying cargo from Kandalaksha, Russia to Canary island.

The vessel departed from Kandalaksha, Russia on 22nd Aug, later it was found the that the hull and propeller is damaged and due to rough weather, it took shelter at Tromso port, Norway on 1st Sept.

After knowing the specification of the cargo, the Norwegian authority asked the vessel to move to another location.

Ammonium Nitrate is a popular fertilizer and is stable at room temperature but with specific conditions it can be extremely dangerous and can explode. In 2020 Bierut blast, there was only 2750 MT of this cargo while presently its 20,000 MT thus it needs to be taken utmost care.

Its important for maritime industry to have strict regulations in place to have a secured future and  avoid another blast like it happened in Beirut in 2020.

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