North Sea: US Military-Hired Tanker Struck by Cargo Ship
Posted on Mar 11, 2025 at 09:03 PM
A Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel collided with a US-flagged oil tanker in the North Sea, resulting in a “massive fireball” and the tanker catching fire.
A ship crash in East Yorkshire triggered an alarm at 9:48 a.m. on March 11. On May Day, the HM Coastguard called for help from firefighting vessels or search and rescue assistance.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution reports that multiple individuals departed the vessels, and that four lifeboat teams arrived. There was no malevolent behaviour or involvement of other actors.
Incident Overview
Hamburg-based owner Ernst Russ confirmed that one member of the Solong crew was missing as night fell. The search is ongoing, with 13 of the 14 crew members safely ashore. The coastguard called off their search overnight.
A collision occurred on the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire, involving an oil tanker at anchor, causing a “massive fireball,” according to Port of Grimsby East CEO Martyn Boyers.
According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, MV Solong, a 2005-built
container ship, is set to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands, carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide and other cargo. The ship, currently sailing under the Madeira flag, is expected to arrive at the port.
Moreover, a container vessel carrying an unknown amount of alcohol was involved in a maritime accident, resulting in the release of hydrogen cyanide gas. This highly toxic chemical asphyxiant can be fatal if not properly managed.
Notably, a US-flagged oil tanker, the Stena Immaculate, made contact with a chemical and oil products tanker carrying A-1 jet fuel. The tanker, built in 2017, was en route to Killingholme Port, off the Humber Estuary. The US Military confirmed it was en route to the US Navy's Sealift Command.
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UK Investigation and Accountability
A collision involving the oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate has resulted in 32 injuries and nine ashore casualties. The cause is unclear, but many abandoned both vessels. The Coast Guard has called for assistance in search and rescue. Only one person is in the hospital.
The Stena Immaculate oil tanker, carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, was struck by a collision, causing at least one cargo tank to rupture. UK authorities are investigating the incident, with the tanker's manager, Crowley, supporting the investigation.
Additionally, four lifeboat crews were called to an incident off the East Yorkshire coast where two vessels collided. The RNLI and HM Coastguard are working together to search and rescue the injured, with reports of abandoned people and fires on both vessels.
Furthermore, HM Coastguard reported that 36 crew members were safely rescued from two vessels, while one crew member of the Solong remains unaccounted for. The search for the missing crew member has ended, and Coast Guard aircraft are monitoring the situation. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is assessing any necessary counter-pollution response.
Eventually, the UK Government seems to cover clean-up and emergency response costs under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, with vessel owners and insurers potentially covering around £15 million. Environmental groups estimate the cost to be around £15 million. If other parties suffer loss, they could also file claims against the vessel owners and insurers.
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