This operation follows the tragic collision on March 10, 2025, in which the Portuguese-flagged containership Solong struck the anchored Stena Immaculate approximately 14 nautical miles northeast of Spurn Head in the North Sea.
The crash, which occurred in low visibility, led to significant fires aboard both vessels and resulted in the presumed death of an Solong crew member. According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s (MAIB) interim report, Solong was traveling at 16 knots when it collided with the port side of the U.S.-flagged Stena Immaculate, breaching one of its cargo tanks. The impact caused a large aviation fuel spill, which ignited and spread to containers on Solong.
At the time of the incident, Stena Immaculate, operated by U.S.-based Crowley and chartered by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, was transporting over 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel.
One of Solong’s crew members, an able seaman who was located in the forecastle area during the collision, is presumed to have died in the incident. The ship’s captain, Vladimir Motin, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, HM Coastguard continues to assist local authorities in responding to coastal pollution, including the presence of plastic nurdles washing up along stretches of the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coasts.
The Solong remains docked at the Port of Aberdeen, where salvage and investigation operations are ongoing.
The MAIB's investigation will explore several critical factors, including navigation procedures, crew watchkeeping and fatigue, vessel maintenance records, anchorage protocols, and prevailing weather and visibility conditions at the time of the collision.
