Collision of Tanker Stena Immaculate and Containership Solong: Latest Updates on the Incident

UK authorities and shipping companies provided updates late on Monday, reporting that more than 12 hours after a feeder containership collided with a tanker anchored off the UK, fires were still burning. One crew member from the containership was reported missing, while 36 people were evacuated to shore in the UK, with one crew member remaining in a local hospital.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency received reports of the evacuation at 09:48 local time. The vessels were located near Hull, England. Four lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were dispatched, along with helicopters and planes. Additionally, commercial vessels in the area responded to assist. One of the Windcat crew vessels, which supports the offshore wind industry, transported the first survivors to shore.

The Stena Immaculate (49 792 dwt) was anchored in Immingham Anchorage after arriving from Greece and was waiting for a berth at the Port of Killingholme. The vessel is operated by Crowley under the US flag and owned by Stena Bulk. It is on a long-term charter as part of the US Department of Defense Tanker Security Program. Both Stena and Crowley confirmed that all 23 crew members from the vessel were accounted for and safe.

The tanker was struck by the Portuguese-flagged containership Solong, which is managed from Germany. The vessel has a deadweight tonnage of 9 300 and is 461 feet (141 meters) long, with a capacity of approximately 800 TEU. It was sailing from Scotland to Rotterdam. Ernst Russ, the owner of the vessel, issued a statement late on Monday confirming that one of the 14 crew members aboard was missing, and on Monday night, Matthew Atkinson, Divisional Commander for HM Coastguard, reported that the search had been called off.

Crowley provided initial details of the incident, stating that the Stena Immaculate was loaded with 220 000 barrels of Jet A-1 fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks. They reported that the vessel suffered a ruptured cargo tank, causing fuel to be released. According to Crowley, there were multiple explosions, but it was unclear how much fuel had been released as a result of the incident.

More than 12 hours later, HM Coastguard reported that the situation had not yet stabilized, with fires still burning on both vessels. Coastguard aircraft were monitoring the situation, while unconfirmed reports indicated that fire crews had been pulled back from the immediate vicinity due to concerns about additional explosions. Images from the afternoon showed fireboats spraying water on the vessels.

In addition to the jet fuel leaking from the Stena vessel, the Solong is reported to have 18 containers of sodium cyanide on board, a highly toxic chemical. The US CDC warns that “containers may explode when heated or if they are contaminated with water.”

“An assessment of any required counter-pollution response is being conducted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with salvors and insurance companies,” said Atkinson.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, but the Guardian newspaper quoted the UK Met Office, stating that there were likely areas of fog and low clouds in the region. These conditions were expected to lift as winds increased and temperatures rose, with a forecast for a hazy day.

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander issued a statement thanking emergency service workers who assisted with the evacuations and the operation. HM Coastguard indicated that additional updates would be provided as the situation develops.