A Russian-linked ship carrying explosive fertiliser dumped part of its vast load in the sea off the coast of Britain, before docking in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The vessel, branded a “floating bomb” by The Sun, was turned away by several other European countries before being admitted into the east coast port. It had set off from the Russian port of Kandalaksha in August and its final destination was Malta.

The MV Ruby arrived on the UK coast on October 28 but authorities were concerned about the quantity of ammonium nitrate it was carrying – seven times the amount involved in a deadly blast in Beirut in 2020, which killed 218 and injured 7,000.

The ship then returned to the North Sea and offloaded a “small quantity” of “the “contaminated” chemicals into the water, according to the coastguard.

Ammonium nitrate can become explosive when exposed to heat, pressure or damaged severely.

In a joint statement, local Conservative councillors Kay Mason Billig and Graham Plant said on November 18: “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.”

Richard Goffin, director of the Port of Great Yarmouth, was adamant the substance was safe.

He 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.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson added: “The port and vessel operator have carried out an operation, with advice from the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Health and 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.”