A Maltese-registered cargo ship, the MV Ruby, has sparked international alarm as it sits damaged and unmoving just outside UK territorial waters, carrying 20,000 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate. The vessel, loaded in Russia’s Kandalaksha port, is currently floating off the coast of Kent, raising security concerns across Europe.
Ammonium nitrate is a highly explosive material, and the amount onboard Ruby is equivalent to roughly one-third of the Hiroshima bomb. If triggered, the explosion would devastate any port city where the ship might dock. The situation echoes the 2020 explosion in Beirut, which involved a much smaller quantity of the same substance.
A Dangerous Odyssey
The Ruby began its fraught journey in late August, bound for European ports, but has been turned away by several countries, including Norway, Lithuania, and Sweden, all of which cited the extreme danger posed by its cargo. Lithuanian authorities were particularly concerned about allowing the vessel near their strategic port of Klaipėda, a NATO reinforcement hub critical to the Baltic region’s military and energy security.
“If the ammonium nitrate were to explode, it would not only destroy the port, but also cripple NATO’s military logistics in the region,” warned a senior Lithuanian official.
Hybrid Warfare or Mismanagement?
The refusal to allow Ruby into ports has raised questions about whether this incident is part of a broader Russian hybrid warfare strategy. Russia has increasingly shifted from cyberattacks and disinformation to more “kinetic” acts, such as sabotage. However, authorities are urging caution, warning against jumping to conclusions without concrete evidence of malicious intent.
“We need to balance vigilance and pragmatism. Not every incident involving a Russian vessel should be viewed as hybrid warfare, but the risks are undeniable,” said a NATO security expert.
Strategic Implications
Allowing Ruby to dock in strategic ports like Klaipėda would have posed far-reaching security threats, given its role as a critical hub for NATO logistics and energy supply. Klaipėda is home to the region’s only large-scale LNG terminal and serves as a key military and energy lifeline for the Baltic states. Any incident there could disrupt NATO operations and regional energy flows, destabilizing an already volatile geopolitical situation.
| Incident | Amount of Ammonium Nitrate | Explosive Power |
| Beirut Explosion (2020) | 2,750 tons | Devastated city center |
| MV Ruby (2024) | 20,000 tons | Seven times Beirut explosion |
| Hiroshima Bomb | 15,000 tons (TNT equivalent) | Similar scale |
Navigating the Diplomatic Waters
The UK, now the latest country monitoring the Ruby’s precarious situation, has so far refrained from allowing the vessel into its ports. The ship remains anchored 14 miles off the coast of Kent, where it awaits refueling and potential escort. UK authorities, in conjunction with maritime safety agencies, are keeping a close eye on the ship, ensuring that it remains secure and that no further damage occurs.
“We are in regular contact with the vessel, and it is being closely monitored to ensure the safety of both the ship and nearby waters.” -UK Coastguard
The Ruby episode highlights the intricate and evolving nature of hybrid threats in Europe. Whether deliberate or accidental, incidents involving dangerous cargo on high-profile ships like the Ruby underscore the challenges of balancing security, diplomacy, and trade.
