MV Ruby heads for new port after Great Yarmouth stay

A giant cargo ship that sparked controversy after docking in a coastal port with a load of potentially explosive fertiliser has started a voyage out to sea once more.

The stricken MV Ruby docked in Great Yarmouth in October laden with a potentially explosive cargo.

The damaged container vessel had been turned away by several countries because of fears about its cargo as it was carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser.

Then after berthing on the east coast at Yarmouth it sparked a further outcry after dumping 300 tonnes of its cargo – which had become contaminated with fuel oil and seawater – in the North Sea around 20 miles off the coast.

The Maltese-registered boat had initially set off from the northern Russian port of Kandalaksha in July and was supposed to be taking her cargo to Africa before damaging its hull and propeller.

It arrived ​in Great Yarmouth at Peel Ports outer harbour on October 28 and raised concerns when it was revealed it was carrying more than seven times the amount of ammonium nitrate involved in a blast in Beirut which killed 218 people and injured a further 7,000.

Having been scheduled to leave the port at Great Yarmouth again on Friday, it departed on Sunday morning and is currently in the North Sea.

According to marine traffic, the cargo ship is headed for Tyne Port, and is estimated to arrive on Monday, December 2.

The current position of MV Ruby on Sunday afternoon. Picture: vesselfinder.com (Image: vesselfinder.com)

According to Peel Ports’ arrivals and departure board, it does not intend to return.

Ruby Enterprise, the Maltese-registered company that owns the ship, did not respond to a request for comment on its movements.

source : greatyarmouthmercury