Russian-linked ship with explosive cargo stranded near Norway
A ship linked to Russia has become stranded in Norwegian waters, carrying a cargo of explosive materials. Aboard the ship are 22,046 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate, which is seven times larger than the amount that caused the Beirut explosion four years ago, killing at least 200 people.
11:17 AM EDT, September 23, 2024
According to the vessel tracking website Marinetraffic.com, on Sunday afternoon, the MV Ruby was in international waters in the Skagerrak Strait between Norway and Denmark.
The Danish Maritime Administration ordered the captain to procure the services of a maritime pilot to help navigate the ship through the shallow and narrow Danish straits. The request for such assistance was made on Friday. Ultimately, this route became obsolete. "The reason for the change is the need to find a place where it will be possible to unload the ship of dangerous goods," Danish Maritime Administration officials emphasized in an email sent to TV2.
As reported by the Swedish newspaper "Göteborgs-Posten," the port in Gothenburg refused to accept the ship due to safety concerns. Sweden argued that the ports in these cities are located near populated areas.
Earlier, the Lithuanian authorities also did not agree to allow the vessel carrying explosive material to enter their waters. The Lithuanian government refused to let the ship dock as long as it carried the explosive cargo.
Ship linked to Russia
According to the Danish newspaper "Information" and the investigative collective Danwatch, the Ruby is controlled by a Lebanese company owned by Syrians, but it carries cargos from Russia. It is registered in Malta.
The vessel, heading to the port of Las Palmas in Mallorca, set sail from the Russian port of Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region but became stranded. Despite this, the ship traveled 994 miles with damage before reaching Tromsø in northern Norway, where it was denied entry.
Inspection revealed six defects, including cracks in the hull and damage to the propeller and rudder. Irregularities in the crew's sailing permits were also found. The ship must use a tugboat.
The Danish Maritime Authority is overseeing the fate of the Ruby. Many experts have warned of the dangers, especially since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Ships linked to the Kremlin, including cargo and oil tankers, often violate sanctions.
Experts pointed out that the ship was near a NATO base and oil and gas installations. These actions could also be part of hybrid warfare. Russia might be attempting to intimidate and observe how Nordic countries react when a ship approaches important sites.
"The goal is probably more to test the authorities' reaction," assesses Danish analyst Jakob Kaarsbo of the think tank Europa, who calls the ship "suspicious."
