Row as explosion-risk ship returns to port

MV Ruby has returned to Great Yarmouth's outer harbour, triggering an angry response from Norfolk County Council

A ship returning to a port with thousands of tonnes of potentially explosive fertiliser on board has been described as "unacceptable" by council leaders.

MV Ruby, which suffered damage in storms, arrived in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk earlier in November and its load of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate was being discharged to another vessel.

Norfolk County Council accused Transport Secretary Louise Haigh of signing off the ship's return to the outer harbour, after some of its cargo was discharged at sea.

A government spokesperson said there was no legal basis for Haigh to stop the vessel as the correct safety standards had been followed.

MV Ruby is moored alongside MV Zimrida, which has been taking the cargo from the damaged vessel

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig and Great Yarmouth Borough Council deputy leader Graham Plant earlier said in a joint statement: "We are extremely concerned that the secretary of state’s representative has agreed that this ship can return to Great Yarmouth.

"That is unacceptable. It should never have come in the first place, due to the potential risk of a major explosion that could have affected residents and businesses across Great Yarmouth.

"On behalf of the people of Yarmouth, we urge the government to halt the return of the MV Ruby."

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "The port and vessel operator have carried out an operation, with advice from the Maritime Coastguard Authority and the Health & Safety Executive, and are content that the MV Ruby and its cargo meet safety standards.

"We continue to support the agencies involved, as well as the local authority.

"The decision to allow the MV Ruby back into Great Yarmouth port was a commercial one, agreed between the ship operator and the port."

Norfolk County Council also claimed MV Ruby had left the port to discharge some contaminated fertiliser at sea.

The government spokesperson added: "Ammonium nitrate is not a persistent chemical, and with sufficient dilution, it will dissipate without leaving a trace."

Richard Goffin, port director at the Port of Great Yarmouth, said: "Fertiliser is a normal cargo that is handled in bulk at ports up and down the country every single day.

"There would be no UK agriculture without it.

"We have performed our duty as a port to help a vessel in distress, and its crew, by providing a safe haven.

"Everything we have done has been in accordance with guidance and direction received from the Secretary of State’s representatives and the Health and Safety Executive, as well as discussions with many other public agencies, including Norfolk County Council."

It is expected that the remainder of the cargo will be transferred over the coming days to MV Zimrida, which is moored on an adjacent berth.