Huge panic - it's a floating mega-bomb!

Logically, no port in northwestern Europe wants to receive him, even though the ship is damaged. And so six weeks have passed since setting sail for Russia.

But everyone fears that the "Rubin", a ship sailing under the flag of Malta, is actually a kind of "Trojan horse" of our time, because it carries an explosive cargo of 20 thousand tons of ammonium nitrate - that's why one diplomat called the ship a "floating mega-bomb".

But it is not only the deadly load from "Ruby" that makes the port authorities think twice and raise the level of caution to the highest level - namely, a much smaller load of the same component of fertilizer destroyed the port of Beirut in 2020, reminds the New York Times.

Experts are concerned that the 182-metre ship - otherwise owned by Maltese company Ruby Enterprise - could be part of Russian sabotage of a European port that would be well-intentioned and naive enough to allow it to sail and anchor.

It is not difficult to assume that the West fears that this is a possible revenge of Russia on all those who support Ukraine.

"When dealing with Russia or other international actors who are hostile, we always keep this possibility in mind," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said after the government announced the ship would not be allowed to sail.

Uncertainty

Similar considerations by other European leaders left the ship in limbo, and for the last few days it has been floating along the coast of southeast England, with a cracked hull and a damaged propeller.

At the same time, the company's managers are trying to convince the public that the ship is not a threat, the world media write. But for now, it seems, they are not really succeeding in that, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

The voyage of the ship "Rubin" was almost doomed from the start. It left the Russian port of Kandalaksha, on the northwest coast of the country, back in August. But it soon ran aground, and these damages prevented it from continuing its journey to its destination ports in Africa, the New York Times writes.

Then he continued his journey and landed in the Norwegian port of Tromso.

Maritime authorities there told the BBC that the ship had been inspected by a team of experts to ensure it met safety and environmental standards.

The group found damage to the hull, propeller and rudder, but the Ruby was still rated as a "sailing vessel". As a precaution, they insisted that the tug accompany the ship for the rest of its journey.

The ship was bound for Klaipeda, Lithuania, according to ship tracking company MarineTraffic. But despite being deemed seaworthy, the ship was refused entry to Klaipeda.

Algis Latakas, chief executive of the port authority, told the BBC that the decision was made "because of the cargo".

Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at University College London, said the cargo was not high risk unless there was a fire on board.

"While I understand the caution of the authorities in Troms, I suspect that the chances of a similar disaster as in Beirut are relatively modest," he said.

He added that it would be interesting to find out what the nature of the repairs might be, as it is clear that welding can significantly increase the potential risk of fire.

Other reports suggest that Sweden has introduced a similar ban, but the Swedish Transport Agency denies this.

"Our authorities are monitoring the whole matter in case we have to react in some way," their spokesman told the BBC.

In search of a port

In recent weeks, "Rubin" has been traveling south along the Norwegian coast and through the North Sea. The ship reportedly had limited maneuverability.

It anchored on September 25 in Kent, near the Dover Gate – one of the busiest waterways in the world.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the ship was "safely moored outside UK territorial waters and awaiting suitable conditions for refueling at sea before proceeding through the English Channel".

Refueling at sea is a common practice and takes place in accordance with safety procedures and in favorable weather conditions, the MCA said.

The general director of the Authorized Institute for Export and International Trade expressed concern about the potential "damage to the environment" if "ammonium nitrate starts leaking from the ship and polluting the sea".

Huge danger

He added that the damage as a result of the potential scenario would be "immense" and would cause "permanent disruption".

The National Maritime Emergency Service has announced that it will monitor the ship's progress as it moves through UK waters.

Vessels are not normally required to seek permission for passage if they are traveling through UK territorial waters for legitimate purposes.

By the way, ammonium nitrate is regularly transported around the world and is used as a fertilizer, but it is also used in the production of explosives.

Because of this, it is worth reminding: "Ruby" carries at least seven times the amount of ammonium nitrate than the one that caused a powerful explosion in Beirut four years ago. And then 200 people died in the capital of Lebanon, another 300,000 were displaced, and the damage amounted to billions.