Damaged ship carrying ammonium nitrate en route to Denmark raises safety concerns

A damaged ship carrying 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate is en route to Denmark, reportedly heading for the Storebelt strait. While this may raise alarms given that the cargo is seven times larger than that involved in the Beirut explosion in 2020, which claimed at least 207 lives, experts suggest there is no imminent danger.

Peter Hald, an explosives specialist and safety leader at Aarhus University, emphasizes that ammonium nitrate is challenging to ignite. He notes that simply colliding with the ship or dropping something into the cargo won’t trigger an explosion. The potential explosive power of ammonium nitrate is comparable to that of a first-generation atomic bomb, but it requires specific conditions to ignite.

Hald further explains that the ammonium nitrate in Beirut burned for an extended period before any explosion occurred, only detonating when other materials in the storage caught fire. This substance is commonly used in fertilizers and explosives and can explode if sufficiently heated, but at roughly half the strength of TNT.

The freighter Ruby, which has gained attention for its structural damages and Russian cargo, has been denied port access in Norway and Sweden, with plans for it to head towards Lithuania. However, Lithuania’s government has reportedly refused to accept the ship as long as it carries the hazardous cargo.

Experts express concerns about the potential implications of the ship’s movement, with some suggesting it may be indicative of Russian hybrid warfare strategies. Although a detonation in Danish waters could generate shockwaves, experts like Hald assure that the distance from populated areas would mitigate the impact. The Danish Maritime Authority is closely monitoring the situation, with military support in place.