The incident, which occurred off the coast of East Yorkshire, resulted in an explosion and fires that took a week to extinguish. A crew member from the Solong, Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, is missing and presumed dead. The ship's Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and is scheduled to stand trial in January 2026.
The owner of the Portuguese-flagged Solong, Ernst Russ, confirmed that the vessel is being moved to Aberdeen, where it will be assessed by marine specialists and insurers. HM Coastguard stated that the ship is being towed by a tug and is expected to arrive later this week.
Safe Berth at the Port of Aberdeen
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said that salvage operations had progressed sufficiently to allow the ship to be relocated to the Port of Aberdeen for safe berthing. The Stena Immaculate, which is registered in the United States, remains stable, with ongoing salvage efforts.
The collision also resulted in environmental concerns after burnt plastic pellets, known as nurdles, were released from containers aboard the Solong. These pellets have washed ashore along the east coast of England, with extensive pollution reported at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire. Conservation groups warn that while the pellets are not toxic, they pose a risk to wildlife if ingested.
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has been conducting clean-up operations ahead of the shorebird breeding season, which begins on April 1. Visitors to affected areas have been advised not to handle the debris.
HM Coastguard is supporting local authorities managing the onshore pollution response in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
A total of 36 crew members from both vessels were rescued following the collision.
