Two ships caught fire off the English coast on Tuesday following an unexplained collision that left a US military jet fuel tanker heavily damaged and a container ship adrift and in danger of sinking.
Ship Collision Leaves One Missing
The incident involved the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong and the tanker Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the US military. Authorities say the Solong crashed into the Stena Immaculate, causing massive fires, explosions, and an oil spill.
Junior Transport Minister Mike Kane told Parliament that a crew member from the Solong is presumed dead, and the vessel is unlikely to stay afloat. The UK coastguard confirmed that 36 people were rescued, and no other crew members are missing.
Firefighting Efforts & Oil Spill Containment
Aerial footage showed the Stena Immaculate’s hull severely damaged, with burn marks running along the ship’s length. The Solong remained on fire and drifted south overnight.
Authorities have placed a one-kilometer exclusion zone around the vessels. Dutch marine salvage firm Boskalis has been appointed to handle the operation, with four firefighting ships en route carrying foam and extinguishing agents.
Equipment for oil spill containment, including spray dispersants and booms, is on standby to minimize environmental damage. The UK government has stated that the public health risk on shore remains low, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
What Caused the Collision?
Officials have not yet explained how the crash occurred or why modern safety systems failed to prevent the accident.
Maritime tracking data shows the 183-meter-long Stena Immaculate was anchored off Immingham when it was struck by the 140-meter Solong, which was en route to Rotterdam. The Solong was traveling at cruise speed, close to 18-19 knots, when the crash occurred.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson stated that there is currently no evidence of foul play, and the incident is not being treated as a national security threat.
Environmental Concerns Over Fuel Spill
The Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 cargo tanks, but it remains unclear how much fuel spilled after at least one tank was breached.
Experts warn that the spill could threaten marine life, including protected seabird colonies such as puffins and gannets, as well as fish stocks.
Contrary to earlier reports, the owners of the Solong confirmed that the ship was not carrying sodium cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, but noted that four empty containers previously used for the substance were being monitored.
Investigation Underway
The collision occurred in a high-traffic shipping lane, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving aircraft, lifeboats, and multiple vessels.
While the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch is gathering evidence, the official investigation will be led by the US and Portuguese authorities, as the vessels are registered under their flags.
