A tanker carrying about 18,000 tons of jet fuel for the US military was struck by a container ship in the North Sea on Monday, triggering explosions, a massive fire and a dramatic rescue operation involving 37 mariners from both vessels.
According to news reports, the collision occurred when the Stena Immaculate, an anchored tanker, was hit by the container ship Solong. The impact ruptured one of the Stena Immaculate’s cargo tanks, releasing Jet A-1 fuel into the sea and igniting large fires on both vessels.
The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency quickly dispatched helicopters, lifeboats, and firefighting vessels to the scene, working to control the fire and assess the risk of pollution. While all 37 crew members across both vessels were rescued, one mariner was hospitalized, according to Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness.
Crowley, the Florida-based maritime logistics company managing the Stena Immaculate, confirmed that its crew abandoned the vessel after multiple explosions onboard. “All Crowley mariners are safe and fully accounted for,” the company said in a statement.
Jacksonville specialty brokerage Whitehall Insurance Agency have worked closely with Crowley over the years, but it is not clear yet who the carriers would be in this particular incident.
At the time of the collision, the Stena Immaculate was on short-term charter to the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command, transporting fuel on behalf of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy. Since May 2023, it has been part of the US strategic tanker program, a fleet of ten US-flagged and US-crewed vessels kept ready for military fuel transportation.
Tracking data from Marine Traffic suggests the Solong plowed into the Stena Immaculate while the tanker was at anchor. The cause of the incident remains unclear, though maritime safety experts note that vessel collision risks have decreased in recent decades due to improved navigational technology and ship design.
Authorities are assessing the environmental impact of the fuel spill and determining the necessary counter-pollution measures. The UK Department for Transport stated that it is working closely with the coastguard and emergency services to mitigate the situation.
Adding to safety concerns, Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that Solong’s cargo included sodium cyanide, a highly hazardous chemical and a large quantity of alcohol. However, it remains unknown whether this cargo was affected by the collision.
The Stena Immaculate is owned by Stena Bulk Marine Services, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, while the Solong is owned by German shipping company Ernst Russ. “Both vessels have sustained significant damage in the impact of the collision and the subsequent fire," Ernst Russ said in a statement.
"13 of the 14 Solong crew members have been brought safely shore. Efforts to locate the missing crew member are ongoing."
Skuld of Norway has confirmed that the Solong was covered by it for protection & indemnity (P&I).
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her concern over the collision and stated that she was in direct communication with officials and the coastguard. “We are grateful to all emergency personnel for their continued efforts,” she wrote on social media.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and assess liability. Given the involvement of hazardous cargo and military fuel, international agencies may also participate in the inquiry.
While maritime collisions of this magnitude are rare, this incident highlights the ongoing risks in global shipping lanes, particularly for vessels carrying strategic resources such as military fuel.
Further updates will follow as more details emerge regarding the environmental impact, recovery efforts, and official findings of the investigation.
