What To Know About the Fiery North Sea Ship Collision

A U.S. military-contracted oil tanker carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel collided with a Portuguese container ship in the North Sea, igniting a massive fireball and forcing the evacuation of both vessels.

Key Takeaways

The U.S.-flagged Stena Immaculate collided with the Portuguese container ship Solong off England’s eastern coast, causing both vessels to catch fire.
All 23 crew members of the Stena Immaculate were safely rescued, while one crew member from the Solong has been presumed dead after extensive search efforts.
The tanker was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, with at least one cargo tank rupturing and causing multiple explosions.
The cargo ship was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide, raising environmental concerns about potential toxic hazards to marine life in the area.
UK authorities do not suspect foul play, but the captain of the container ship has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the incident.
U.S. officials have confirmed the incident will not affect military operations or combat readiness.

Critical Maritime Emergency Response

A collision occurred on March 10, 2025 between the U.S.-flagged Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese container ship Solong while the former was anchored approximately 10 miles off the coast near Hull, England. The incident triggered an extensive emergency response operation involving helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, lifeboats, and firefighting vessels. British authorities successfully evacuated 36 crew members from both ships to shore, with one person requiring hospitalization. The search for a missing crew member from the Solong has been called off after extensive efforts failed to locate them.

The collision resulted in a ruptured cargo tank on the Stena Immaculate, leading to multiple explosions and a significant fuel spill. Previous aerial footage showed both vessels heavily damaged and burning as response teams worked to contain the situation, although more recent footage on Tuesday showed that the fires appeared mostly extinguished.

Military Implications and Company Response

The Stena Immaculate, managed by Crowley, was operating under contract with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, carrying Jet-A1 fuel as part of a U.S. government program to supply fuel during conflicts or emergencies. Despite the severity of the incident, U.S. officials confirmed there will be no impact on military operations or combat readiness, stating, “We do not have a single point of failure.”

“Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel,” the company said after the incident occurred. “Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment. We will provide more updates as information becomes available.”

Environmental Concerns and Investigation

Environmental organizations are closely monitoring the situation due to potential ecological impacts. The Solong was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide, though the extent of damage to these containers remains unclear. The jet fuel spill, while significant, is considered less environmentally damaging than crude oil due to its rapid evaporation and biodegradation properties. Nevertheless, Greenpeace and marine scientists have expressed concerns about toxic hazards to marine life in this busy fishing area near seabird colonies.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident. A 59-year-old man who has not been named, but has been revealed as the captain of the container ship, was recently arrested “on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision,” according to police. No evidence of foul play has been discovered.