A cargo vessel carrying thousands of tonnes of potentially explosive fertilizer is set to travel through UK waters. The ship, earlier accompanied by an escort tug, has reportedly been denied entry by several countries due to its cargo, reports BBC.
Explosive fertiliser
Carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the ship was previously damaged but deemed seaworthy by authorities in Norway.
The vessel set off from a northern Russian port in July, and the National Maritime Emergency Service has stated it will monitor the ship’s progress as it moves towards and through UK waters. Ships are not required to seek permission to travel through UK territorial waters if it is for legitimate purposes.
The escort tug, which had accompanied the ship from Norway, departed on Thursday morning and sailed east towards Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Although there is no immediate threat from the cargo, the same chemical was involved in the devastating explosion in Beirut in 2020. Ammonium nitrate, commonly transported for use as fertilizer, is also a key component in explosives.
The amount of ammonium nitrate on board is seven times greater than what caused the Beirut explosion. Shortly after leaving Russia, the ship briefly ran aground after reportedly encountering a storm but continued its journey around the Kola Peninsula before docking in Tromsø, Norway. Norway’s Maritime Authority confirmed that inspections were carried out to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. Despite hull, propeller, and rudder damage, the vessel was deemed seaworthy.
As a precaution, both the inspection group and the flag state required the ship to be escorted by a tug for the remainder of its journey. Originally bound for Lithuania, the ship was denied entry due to its cargo, according to local port authorities.
Experts have indicated that the cargo is not at high risk unless a fire were to occur on board. Recent reports suggest the vessel has encountered restricted maneuverability, though this has not been officially confirmed. On 25 September, the ship anchored about 15 miles northeast of Margate, near the Dover Strait—one of the world’s busiest waterways.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported that the vessel is “securely anchored outside UK territorial waters” and is waiting for suitable conditions to refuel at sea before continuing through the English Channel. The refueling, which is common practice, will adhere to safety procedures and take place under favorable weather conditions, according to the MCA.
The vessel’s next listed destination is Malta, but local authorities have indicated that the ship can only enter the country if it unloads its cargo beforehand. Concerns have also been raised about potential environmental risks, although the ship holds the necessary safety certificates to continue its journey.
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Source: BBC
