Norway has ordered a bulker carrying a potentially explosive Russian cargo to leave the port of Tromso where it was seeking refuge after a storm.
Police in the northern city said the 37,000-dwt open-hatch carrier Ruby (built 2022) was told to depart the port on Tuesday and sail to a position where it can undergo repairs while at anchor, according to The Barents Observer, a Norwegian online news site.
The Malta-flag ship was carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which raised concerns because it was the same chemical compound that exploded at Lebanon’s port of Beirut in 2020. Ammonium nitrate is used in fertilisers and explosives.
Norway granted the Ruby permission to take refuge in Tromso on 26 August after it encountered a storm.
Authorities are investigating the situation.
Data from Equasis and Clarksons shows the Ruby is controlled by Serenity Ship Management. Equasis lists Dubai-based Serenity as the manager of 10 bulkers and general cargo ships.
The company could not be immediately reached for comment.
Tracking data from VesselsValue shows the Ruby left the Russian port of Kandalaksha on 23 August.
It first took refuge at Vannvag, further north of Tromso. It anchored there on 26 August, before continuing south to a location near Tromso on Sunday.
The Barents Observer reported that the Ruby took refuge near the campus of the University of Tromso, also known as the Arctic University of Norway, and near the University Hospital of North Norway.
A Norwegian warship moored alongside the Ruby.
Havard Malmedal, an official with the Tromso fire and rescue service, told the news site that the ship was inspected and fire officials spoke to its crew.
“Our examination has not identified any changed risk associated with the ship’s cargo,” he said.
