Port emergency in Tormso Norway

[244]

Thanks guys

I think she is what we would call a Handymax.

I only did one trip on a bulker as third mate a very long time ago but she was a Capesize with no gear

[ombugge]

M/V Ruby is still at anchor at London Anchorage, where she arrived 30.09.2024:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:1605/zoom:13

The only difference appears to be that the escorting tug has been replaced.
Tug KAMARINA has been at anchor nearby since 11.10.2024:

Photo: Michael Brakhage

Meanwhile the local authorities in nearby Margate is seeking update on the situation and plight of MV Ruby:

MPs seek update on plight of cargo ship with ammonium nitrate load anchored...

Here is the answer:

Margate: Ship with 'potentially explosive' cargo safe, MP says

[spowiednick]

This is turning into a mother of all nonsense .

“moored” ??

[ombugge]

moored is the least of the BS in the Margate article:

The vessel initially ran aground in Norwegian territorial waters, whilst seeking shelter from a storm.

Her grounding resulted in hull, rudder and propeller damage. As a distressed ship, requiring a port of refuge, three countries refused to admit the vessel into port due to concerns over the cargo but she was allowed entry to the Norwegian port of Breivika, Tromso.

Whilst there Ruby was rapidly inspected and, soon after, was instructed to depart following temporary repairs. She travelled the Baltic for a period and then made a transit of the Straits.

Ammonium nitrate is the material involved in an explosion that destroyed part of Beirut in 2020 but it is also a commonly transported cargo.

She was seeking shelter in Tromsø to inspect the damages caused when she touched ground shortly after departing from the loading port in the White Sea, Russia.

Permission was granted based on a request by the Master while she was on her way along the coast of Finnmark. No other countries/ports were involved.
Tromsø were the nearest Norwegian port that had the required facilities for the inspection.

No repairs were carried out in Tromsø as there are no drydock large enough for this vessel there.

Refusal by other countries/ports happned after she was found seaworthy and on her way to Lithuania.

How she “travelled the Baltic” without entring the “straits” first is a mystery.
(She was refused permission to transit Storebelt by Danish authorities)

They at least got it right that Ammonium Nitrate is a common cargo carried by ships like the MV Ruby.

[spowiednick]

Damaged MV Ruby to Dock at Great Yarmouth Amid Concerns Over Explosive Cargo

[ombugge]

Still a lot of inaccurate statements about the history of this ship, incl. that the cargo is explosive. (which it is not in the form carried on this ship)

Transhipment to another vessel sounds like a good solution, both to calm the media frenzy and so the consignee can get their cargo of fertilizer before the planting season on the southern hemisphere.

[ombugge]

M/V Ruby is back in the news:

Ruby back in the headlines as it offloads some of its controversial cargo...

UK came to its rescue late last month, allowing it to call at Great Yarmouth on the country’s east coast.

The ship left the port over the weekend, at the behest of the UK coastguard. It was ordered to dump a “small quantity” of the “contaminated” cargo into the sea, according to the coastguard. The ship spent 30 hours circling an area 20 km from port, before returning to the same terminal.

[spowiednick]

some quotes:

" Ensure that no organic materials are or can be in contact with the ammonium nitrate. Contain run-off water used in fire suppression or exposure activities. Ammonium nitrate is a marine pollutant ."

" Ecosystems are also damaged by this environmental pollution , with amphibians and aquatic life bearing the brunt of nitrate poisoning as the decomposition products transfer to the ocean."

In view of what is attached below :
A-20130522-Disposal-of-bulk-cargo-residues-and-hold-washings-under-MARPOL-Annex-V-02.pdf.pdf (1.2 MB)

[quote=“ombugge, post:67, topic:70602”]

The ship left the port over the weekend, at the behest of the UK coastguard. It was ordered to dump a “small quantity” of the “contaminated” cargo into the sea, according to the coastguard. The ship spent 30 hours circling an area 20 km from port, before returning to the same terminal.

Ordered by UKCG to dump at sea " small quantity " of the " contaminated " cargo. ?

Strange and spooky wording. Or was she ordered to leave port and do the hold cleaning and washing/rinsing ?

Bulk Carrier Carrying 20,000 Tons Of Explosive Fertiliser Dumps Some Of Its Cargo At Sea

Ammonium Nitrate-Laden Bulker Dumps Contaminated Cargo off UK

[ombugge]

M/V Ruby is no in drydock in Tyne GB:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:6.2/centery:62.0/zoom:8
She entered the drydock 21. Dec. 2024. Nothing known about completion date, or further intentions.

[ombugge]

Maybe something good came out of the M/V Ruby incident?
New rules.

Crucial amendment to IMDG Code on Ammonium Nitrate sanctioned by the IMO |...

This particular change affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4 and reinforces that carriage of UN 1942 Ammonium Nitrate and UN 2067 Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer under deck is only permitted if hatches including tween deck hatches are capable of being opened up in an emergency so that effective firefighting through maximum ventilation and boundary cooling can be undertaken.