A serious incident occurred in the North Sea this morning when a tanker carrying 18,000 tonnes of jet fuel for the US military was struck by a container ship. The collision triggered explosions and a large fire, prompting a major rescue operation involving 37 crew members from both vessels.
The accident took place shortly before 10 AM local time. The tanker, named Stena Immaculate, was anchored when it was hit by the container ship Solong. The impact caused a rupture in one of the Stena Immaculate’s cargo tanks, leading to a spill of Jet A-1 fuel and igniting fires on both ships.
The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency responded quickly, sending helicopters, lifeboats, and firefighting vessels to the scene. While all crew members were rescued, one mariner was taken to the hospital for treatment, as confirmed by Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness.
Crowley, the company managing the Stena Immaculate, reported that its crew had to abandon the ship due to multiple explosions. They assured that all their mariners were safe and accounted for. The Solong’s owner, Ernst Russ, acknowledged that both vessels suffered significant damage from the collision and fire.
At the time of the incident, the Stena Immaculate was on a short-term charter for the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command, transporting fuel for the Defense Logistics Agency. It has been part of the US strategic tanker program since May 2023, which consists of vessels ready for military fuel transport.
Tracking data indicated that the Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, although experts note that such accidents have become less common due to advancements in ship design and technology.
Authorities are now assessing the environmental impact of the fuel spill and are working to implement necessary pollution control measures. The UK Department for Transport is coordinating with emergency services to address the situation.
Adding to the safety concerns, reports revealed that the Solong was carrying sodium cyanide, a hazardous substance, along with a large quantity of alcohol. It remains unclear if this cargo was affected by the collision.
The Stena Immaculate is owned by Stena Bulk Marine Services from Sweden, while the Solong belongs to the German shipping company Ernst Russ. Efforts are ongoing to locate one missing crew member from the Solong; 13 of its 14 crew members have been safely brought ashore.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her concern over the incident and praised the emergency personnel for their efforts. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident and assess liability, with international agencies likely to be involved due to the hazardous cargo.
This incident highlights the risks still present in global shipping, especially for vessels carrying critical resources like military fuel. Further updates are expected as authorities continue to evaluate the situation and gather more information about the environmental impact and recovery efforts.