A vessel stranded at anchor off the Kent coast due to fears over its potentially explosive cargo poses “no threat in its current state,” according to its owners, reports Kent Online.
About the vessel
The ship, registered and owned in Malta, is carrying about 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate from Russia but suffered damage soon after leaving port six weeks ago.
For more than a week, it has been located at an anchorage point about 15 miles off Margate in international waters, monitored by the UK Coastguard.
Due to the volume of the chemical on board — which is used in agricultural fertiliser — and the fact the vessel has been damaged, it has not been allowed entry into any ports for long-term repairs.
The load is about seven times more than the amount which caused a devastating explosion in Beirut in 2020, killing 200 people, displacing 300,000 more, and causing £15 billion worth of damage to the Lebanese capital.
However, the owners stated that safety certificates are fully compliant with the Maltese authorities and that “ammonium nitrate is a commonly transported cargo by this method.”
A spokesperson added: “It poses no threat to the ship, crew, or surrounding environment in the vessel’s current state.”
The voyage has been beset by issues — first suffering damage to the hull, rudder, and propellers after grounding on the seabed shortly after leaving the north Russian port of Kandalaksha on August 22.
After temporary repairs in Tromso, Norway, the vessel was cleared to return to sea by surveyors and the Maltese authorities on September 5 to find a port for permanent repairs, escorted by tugs throughout the voyage.
However, no ports have been willing to grant passage into harbor.
To date, no agreement has been reached to transfer the cargo to other ships, allowing the vessel to continue its journey.
Logistics experts note that the cargo presents a “huge challenge” in resolving the issue and ensuring repairs can be completed.
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Source: Kent Online
