Fears Ease After Container Ship Collides with U.S. Fuel Tanker

Environmental concerns lessened on Wednesday following a collision between a container ship and a U.S. fuel tanker off northeast England. The incident involved the Portuguese-flagged Solong crashing into the stationary Stena Immaculate, a tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military.

Despite significant damage to both vessels, Stena Bulk, the owner of the Stena Immaculate, reported that most of the jet fuel cargo remained intact. Stena Bulk Chief Executive Erik Hanell stated that only two of the 18 fuel tanks had leaked, representing approximately 10% of the cargo.

While fuel leakage into the sea initially raised concerns for protected bird colonies, the British coastguard has not received further reports of pollution from either vessel since the incident. Fires on the Solong have been significantly reduced, and the Stena Immaculate shows no visible flames, according to the coastguard.

The 59-year-old captain of the Solong, a Russian national, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The vessel’s owner, Ernst Russ, confirmed the captain’s nationality, along with the Russian and Filipino crew members.

Amid strained relations between the West and Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine, concerns about potential sabotage have emerged. However, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has dismissed suggestions of foul play in the collision.

All 23 crew members of the Stena Immaculate, who are U.S. nationals, were safely evacuated following the incident. While minor issues were noted during routine inspections of the Solong last year, Ernst Russ stated that all deficiencies had been promptly addressed.

The investigation into the collision falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. and Portugal, the flag states of the respective vessels. The British Marine Accident Investigation Branch will gather initial evidence as part of the overall investigation.

(Source: Reuters – Reporting by Jonathan Saul, additional reporting by Muvija M, writing by Sarah Young and Sachin Ravikumar, editing by Paul Sandle, Alex Richardson and Kevin Liffey)