Just before 10 am on March 10, 2025, a significant maritime collision occurred in the North Sea off the coast of Hull, near the port of Grimsby, involving the US-flagged oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese cargo ship MV Solong. Initial reports indicate that the Solong, while en route from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, collided with the Stena Immaculate, which was anchored and carrying a substantial load of Jet A-1 aviation fuel along with 220,000 barrels across 16 segregated cargo tanks.
The collision sparked multiple explosions aboard the Stena Immaculate, leading to a catastrophic fire that has continued to burn well into the following day. Local authorities have stated that fires on both vessels broke out after the initial crash, and these were still being monitored by coastguard aircraft as of the early hours of Tuesday. During the emergency response, 36 crew members from both ships were accounted for, with one individual requiring hospital treatment. However, one crew member from the Solong has been reported missing, with HM Coastguard ultimately concluding the search for them after an extensive operation.
Matthew Atkinson, the divisional commander for HM Coastguard, stated, “One crew member of the Solong remains unaccounted for. After an extensive search, they have not been found, and the search has ended.” In a show of support and gratitude, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her thanks to the emergency services involved in the rescue efforts, saying, “I am hugely grateful to HM Coastguard, the RNLI and emergency services who have responded to this incident. They were on the scene swiftly, have helped rescue those in immediate danger, and I know they will continue to work tirelessly over the coming days.”
As the investigation into the causes of the collision gets underway, relief efforts continue alongside a growing concern for potential environmental harm stemming from the incident. The Solong was confirmed to be carrying sodium cyanide, a highly toxic substance. Maritime expert Dr Seyedvahid Vakili has noted that the chemical could produce harmful gas if it were to leak, although, as of now, there is no evidence suggesting any leakage has occurred. He stated, "Given the chemical's high toxicity, specialised hazardous material teams are needed for cleanup operations."
Concerns have also been raised regarding the jet fuel released into the North Sea, which environmental experts fear could impact local wildlife, particularly at this critical time of year as various species prepare for nesting. Martin Slater, director of operations at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, pointed out the potential devastation to seabird colonies and marine life in the Humber Estuary due to spills, stating, “If pollution spillage enters the Humber, this could be devastating for the wildlife of the estuary….”
The Stena Immaculate is part of the US government’s Tanker Security Programme and was docked waiting for a berth at the Port of Killingholme when it was struck. The reputational damage and environmental implications of a collision like this raise questions over the management and safety measures in place for marine operations in busy shipping lanes, a concern echoed by local wildlife advocates and marine experts alike.
Ongoing investigations are being led by authorities from both the United States and Portugal to determine the root cause of the accident and assess the full environmental impact. The incident presents a challenging scenario for managing the aftermath, as the weather patterns and tides in the North Sea could influence the extent of any potential pollution spreading into sensitive marine habitats.
Source: Noah Wire Services