On March 10, 2025, a significant maritime collision occurred in the North Sea off the coast of East
Yorkshire, UK, involving the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong and the US-flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate.
Incident Details:
- Time and Location: The collision happened around 9:50 AM local time in the Humber Estuary.
- Vessels Involved:
- Stena Immaculate: An oil tanker carrying approximately 18,000 tons of jet fuel,
operating under a short-term charter to the US Navy.
- Solong: A cargo ship transporting 15 containers of sodium cyanide, a highly toxic
chemical, and an unspecified quantity of alcohol.
Consequences of the Collision:
- Fires and Explosions: The impact resulted in both vessels catching fire, with the Stena
Immaculate experiencing multiple explosions due to ruptured cargo tanks. - Crew Evacuation: A total of 37 crew members from both ships were evacuated. One individual
was hospitalized, and one crew member from the Solong remains missing. - Environmental Concerns: There is significant worry about potential environmental damage.
The Stena Immaculate's jet fuel spill poses a risk to marine life, and the Solong's cargo of sodium
cyanide could have catastrophic ecological impacts if released into the sea.
Current Status:
- Search and Rescue: The search for the missing crew member was called off around 9:40 PM on March 10 due to challenging conditions, including thick fog and freezing temperatures.
Firefighting Efforts: Both vessels remained on fire as of the latest reports, with firefighting
operations ongoing. - Investigation: Authorities, including the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), have initiated investigations to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary assessments are underway.
Safety and Environmental Measures:
- Exclusion Zone: A five-mile air and sea exclusion zone has been established around the incident
site, with potential expansion to ten miles if necessary. - Environmental Monitoring: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is assessing the
environmental impact, focusing on the potential spread of jet fuel and the risk posed by the sodium cyanide cargo.
This incident highlights the challenges faced in maritime safety and environmental protection, especially when hazardous materials are involved. Authorities continue to work diligently to manage the situation and mitigate potential risks.
Related news: WATCH: AIS data reconstruction video of the collision between oil STENA IMMACULATE and container ship SOLONG in the North Sea