A collision off the eastern coast of England ignited fires on two ships and resulted in a fuel leak.
The incident involved the US-flagged fuel tanker MV Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MV Solong. The collision occurred in the North Sea, close to the East Yorkshire coast on Monday, causing substantial damage and fires on both vessels.
Data suggests the Solong struck the Stena Immaculate’s port side while the tanker was anchored near Grimsby port at approximately 9:48 am GMT. The impact triggered explosions and ruptured a cargo tank, leading to a significant fuel discharge.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency responded quickly, dispatching rescue helicopters, lifeboats, and firefighting vessels. Out of the 37 crew members, 36 were rescued and taken to shore, with one hospitalized. One crew member from the Solong is still missing after the search was stopped due to difficult conditions.
The MV Stena Immaculate, managed by Crowley Maritime, is a chemical tanker with a deadweight of 49,729 tons. At the time of the accident, it was chartered by the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command and carrying around 18,000 tonnes of Jet A-1 fuel for the US military.
The MV Solong, owned by Ernst Russ based in Hamburg, is a 140-meter-long container ship. Constructed in 2005, it was traveling from Grangemouth to Rotterdam, carrying at least 15 containers of various chemicals, including highly toxic sodium cyanide.
The collision resulted in jet fuel leaking into the North Sea and sparked concerns about environmental risks, especially due to the sodium cyanide onboard. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is monitoring the situation and evaluating the necessary pollution response.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the collision. Initial information suggests that heavy fog and potential human error may have played a role. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is leading the investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident.