'Floating bomb' packed with 20,000 tonnes of explosives 'has crossed into UK waters'

The ship is apparently on its way to Malta - although it is unlikely to be permitted to dock unless its deadly cargo has been unloaded first.

By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter

07:35, Mon, Sep 30, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:20, Mon, Sep 30, 2024

MV Ruby

The MV Ruby is Malta-flagged and Russian-owned (Image: GETTY)

A Russian cargo vessel carrying 20,000 tonnes of explosive ammonium nitrate has now crossed into UK waters, it has been claimed.

The Maltese-flagged, Russian-owned MV Ruby, which was previously been barred from entering the Baltic Sea by Denmark earlier this week, is being tracked during its journey south.

A screenshot of data was been shared from the Marine Traffic website this morning (September 30) showing the apparent location of the ship.

The poster, auonsson, describing themselves as as a “pseudonymous osoint”, referring to open source intelligence, said: "Fertiliser ship RUBY is crossing into UK waters this second. She is doing 7 knots towards Thames inlet."

A post shared shortly afterwards clarified the vessel was heading away from the Thames "with seven tankers as company".

Fertilizer ship RUBY is crossing into UK waters this second.

She is doing 7 knots towards Thames inlet. pic.twitter.com/eu2MHNxes1
— auonsson (@auonsson) September 29, 2024

A third post added: "I think she is about to anchor more protected (black path). It does look like it is possible to reach Thames via red path, draught wise, but it would be insane and through a wind park."

They stressed that the vessel was "well into UK."

Meanwhile Marine Traffic's live feed shows the vessel still at anchor, alarmingly close to the Kent coast, in a slightly different position to where it was at the weekend.

Officially the MV Ruby is en route to Malta - but a spokesperson for the transport ministry told the Malta Today newspaper the ship will not be permitted to dock if it is still carrying the explosive cargo.

They said: "The ship will only be permitted to enter Maltese waters if the cargo is unloaded first.”

Marine Traffic

Marine Traffic's live feed (right) puts the ship in a slightly different position to that of Saturda (Image: Marine Traffic)

Additionally, the MV Ruby was at the weekend close to the wreck of the World War II ship SS Richard Montgomery, off the coast of the Isle of Sheppey, which itself contains around 1,400 tonnes of unexploded wartime ordnance.

Authorities, including Norway and Denmark, refused entry after the ship ran aground on August 22, shortly after departing from the Russian port of Kandalaksha.

On Saturday a Marine Coastguard Agency spokesman said vessel was securely anchored outside UK territorial waters waiting for appropriate conditions to refuel at sea before passing through the English Channel.

They added: "Refuelling at sea is a common practice and will take place in accordance with safety procedures and in favourable weather.”

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Vessels are not required to ask permission to travel through UK territorial waters for legitimate purposes, they stressed.

They added: "The vessel has appropriate safety certificates approved by the vessel’s flag state and is able to make its own way.

"A commercial tug contracted by the ship operators is standing by the vessel at anchor and when underway. HM Coastguard is in regular contact with the vessel and is monitoring its progress.

"HM Coastguard has 24/7 capability to respond to requests for assistance and to ensure the safety of shipping within UK waters."

Express.co.uk has contacted the MCGA for clarification about the ship's current location.