HM Coastguard photograph of Stena Immaculate on March 11, 2025
Salvage experts with SMIT Salvage are currently conducting onboard assessments of Stena Immaculate, following the recent incident involving the containership Solong. According to statements from Crowley, the vessel operator, and Stena Bulk, the owner, the damage is limited to one cargo tank containing Jet-A1 fuel and one ballast tank containing seawater.
“Before abandoning ship, the crew took proactive measures to activate fire monitors for boundary cooling, which helped contain the damage to the affected tanks,” said Cal Hayden, vice president of Crowley global ship management. “We are fully committed to supporting the U.K. response and environmental remediation efforts.”
At the time of the collision, Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel. The salvage team confirmed a loss of 17,515 barrels of fuel due to the impact and subsequent fire, with the remaining cargo and bunkers secured.
HM Coastguard reassures that there is no immediate threat of pollution from the tanker, and the salvage operation is ongoing, with a finalized plan in collaboration with relevant authorities.
MAIB INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is leading the safety investigation into the incident, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with Portugal’s Marine Safety Investigation Authority. The focus is on determining the cause of the accident, preventing similar incidents, and ensuring maritime safety.
Initial findings indicate the route and actions of Solong leading up to the collision, with efforts underway to gather witness accounts, inspect the vessels, and retrieve Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) for analysis. The investigation will also delve into navigational practices, crew management, vessel maintenance, and environmental conditions at the time of the accident.