The fire on an oil tanker involved in the crash in the North Sea has finally gone out, several days after it collided with a container ship near the Humber Estuary.
Crowley, the maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, said late on Wednesday that there were “no visible signs of smoke or flame”.
Shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the Solong cargo ship, said it had separated from the Stena Immaculate and drifted south, but remains alight.
While “fire activity onboard the vessel has diminished since yesterday,” the company said it continues to “emit smoke with occasional reports of flames.”
Earlier, the company announced that the arrested captain of Solong is a Russian national.
Humberside Police said the 59-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision in the North Sea.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, the force said “a 59-year-old man remains in our custody” and detectives are “continuing to conduct extensive lines of inquiry”.
Key Points
- Solong remains on fire, says vessel owner
- Captain of Solong is a Russian National
- Solong vessel failed safety checks
- Environmental disaster narrowly averted, Greenpeace warns
- MV Stena was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel
Videos show moment container ship ploughed into US oil tanker
06:31 , Shweta SharmaFootage has emerged of the moment a container ship ploughed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea, causing a huge explosion.
Thermal camera footage captures the moment the container ship accelerates toward the stationary oil tanker before colliding, triggering a massive fireball that erupts into the sky.
A second video filmed from the Ionic Aspis tanker, which was anchored nearby at the time of the incident, shows dense fog that could have hampered the visibility of Solong's crew.
Foul play not ruled out, US official says
06:10A White House official has reportedly told the American-based maritime news website gCaptain that foul play had not been ruled out, raising the possibility that the Stena Immaculate may have been deliberately targeted as it was carrying cargo for the US military.
UK transport minister Mike Kane told MPs on Tuesday something went “terribly wrong” for the crash to happen but that there was “no evidence” of foul play.
“Whether there was foul play I think is speculation. There is no evidence to suggest that at the moment," he said.
A 59-year-old Russian national was arrested by Humberside Police on Tuesday on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Oil tanker Stena Immaculate was operating as part of the US government’s tanker security programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
Seafarers' union calls for transparent investigation into crash
05:48 , Shweta SharmaA global seafarers' union has called for a transparent and internationally coordinated investigation into the crash between a fuel tanker and a container ship in the North Sea.
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), the biggest seafarers' union, urged all the jurisdictions involved to cooperate to understand how the incident happened.
"There are crucial questions that remain unanswered in the wake of this tragedy, and these must be addressed through a full and transparent internationally coordinated investigations," ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton said in a statement.
Investigation focused on witness statement and digital data
05:35 , Shweta SharmaA team of inspectors has been deployed to investigate the collision involving the cargo ship Solong and the tanker Stena Immaculate, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed.
The inquiry is focused on witness statements and digital data analysis.
The Solong, which frequently traveled between Scotland and the Netherlands, had previously failed safety checks, including steering-related issues and inadequate alarm systems, during inspections in Dublin and Grangemouth last year.
"Thirty-six crew from both vessels were recovered but tragically one member of crew from Solong remains unaccounted for," the MAIB said.
"As well as continuing to gather witness accounts, further investigation work will look to establish the navigational practices onboard both vessels, the manning and fatigue management, the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved, and the environmental conditions at the time."
Port state control (PSC) inspection documents show the Solong failed steering-related safety checks in July last year.
Irish officials deemed the "emergency steering position communications/compass reading" was "not readable".
This was among 10 deficiencies highlighted during the inspection of the Portuguese vessel in Dublin.
Other issues included alarms being "inadequate", survival craft "not properly maintained", and fire doors "not as required".
A salvage plan for both ships is being developed.
'Small pockets' of fire continue to burn on Solong cargo ship
05:05 , Shweta SharmaThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said "small pockets of fire" continued to burn on board the Solong, although the main blaze has been tackled.
One sailor from the container ship is missing and presumed dead.
Grainy thermal camera footage showed the container ship speeding towards the stationary oil tanker before smashing into it, sending a massive fireball into the air.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said it will lead the safety investigation into the incident.
A team of inspectors was immediately deployed, and inquiries have focused on gathering witness accounts and obtaining digital data, the MAIB said.
Fire out on oil tanker – but 'small pockets' still burning on Solong cargo ship
04:36 , Adam WithnallA fire on an oil tanker involved in a crash in the North Sea has gone out, several days after the collision.
Container ship Solong struck the Stena Immaculate off the east coast of Yorkshire on Monday morning.
Crowley, the maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, said there were "no visible signs of smoke or flame".
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said on Wednesday that "small pockets of fire" continued to burn onboard the Solong.
WATCH: New footage shows heavy fog at moment of North Sea collision
02:01 , Bryony GoochFears for hundreds of thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast after North Sea collision
01:06 , Bryony GoochLucy Leeson reports:
North Sea collision: Fears for thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast
Mapped | Where did the ships collide?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 23:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Mapped: the North Sea collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 23:32 , Bryony Gooch
WWF warn of 'devastating' effect on marine ecosystems and wildlife
Wednesday 12 March 2025 23:00 , Jabed AhmedTom Brook, an ocean conservation specialist at WWF-UK, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. While it's too soon to fully understand the impacts, we know that oil spills can have devastating and long-lasting effects on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
“However, many marine species, including fish and dolphins likely moved away from the scene quite quickly, and the full environmental impact may not be clear until we understand the scale of the event.
“Unlike other oil spills, we may not see birds, other species, or habitats drenched in oil. From the information available, the incident involves jet fuel, which is likely to evaporate off more rapidly than heavier oils. The ability to respond quickly may also help mitigate the broader environmental impact, in an otherwise tragic situation.”
The key unanswered questions over the North Sea oil tanker collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 22:35 , Bryony GoochHolly Evans reports:
The key unanswered questions over the North Sea oil tanker collision
The ships involved in the collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 22:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Is there suspected foul play?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 21:29 , Jabed AhmedAmerican-based maritime news website gCaptain reported that it was told by a US official in the White House that foul play had not been ruled out.
UK transport minister Mike Kane told MPs on Tuesday something went “terribly wrong” for the crash to happen but that there was “no evidence” of foul play.
A 59-year-old Russian national was arrested by Humberside Police on Tuesday on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Oil tanker Stena Immaculate was operating as part of the US government’s tanker security programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
Expert warns Hull's protected marine areas at risk from oil spill pollution
Wednesday 12 March 2025 21:00 , Jabed AhmedDaniela Schmidt, professor of earth sciences at the University of Bristol, said: “There are several Marine protected areas near Hull such as Flamborough Head and Holderness.
“These areas are protected due to their rich habitats supporting marine wildlife including fish, bivalves, crabs and birds. Around Flamborough the nesting season will soon start.
“While the first focus is on containing the fire, the pollution connected to the accident has the potential to spread widely depending on the currents and waves with the risk of impacting these protected areas.
“Natural England and North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority will be monitoring the distribution of the oil film closely but at the moment it is to early to determine the impacts.”
Who is the missing sailor?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 20:34 , Bryony GoochNot much is known about the sailor presumed dead on the MV Solong.
The search was called off on Monday evening, although shipping company Ernst Russ said: “We remain mindful of the loss of a crew member. Our thoughts remain with the family of that crew member at this very distressing time. We are providing every support possible.”
They confirmed that the other 13 crew members were safe and accounted for, along with all of the Stena Immaculate’s 20 crew members.
One RNLI crew member told The Times the fog was so thick during the initial search and rescue crews could “not see a thing”.
“We are not equipped with firefighting equipment for this type of incident,” he said.
The captain of the Solong, a 59-year-old Russian national, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and remains in police custody.
Oceana UK says oil spill threatens marine protected areas
Wednesday 12 March 2025 20:00 , Jabed AhmedHugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, said: “This incident is a shocking reminder of the ferocious polluting power of oil.
“We are seeing burning slicks, the threat of heavy fuel oil, and toxic chemicals leaking in or near not one but two marine protected areas (MPAs). Places that should be safe havens for wildlife.”
Mr Tagholm said the Southern North Sea and Holderness MPAs protect declining harbour porpoises and rich seafloor habitats, which are both highly sensitive to toxic spills.
“Oil is always an accident waiting to happen in our ocean and we are all familiar with its devastating impacts – seabirds slick with oil, marine life struggling in tarry tidelines, and a toxic legacy that can impact wildlife and coastal communities for years. More oil will always result in more spills,” he added.
“It is also deeply concerning that the cargo vessel is reportedly carrying sodium cyanide, a severely toxic chemical that can devastate marine wildlife if in high enough concentrations. For now, we don’t know how much, if any, reached the water but we have sent an Oceana team to the North East to monitor developments.”
WATCH: Stena Immaculate's full damage revealed
Wednesday 12 March 2025 19:33 , Bryony GoochAll about the ships involved: Solong and Stena Immaculate
Wednesday 12 March 2025 19:17 , Bryony GoochThe cargo vessel called MV Solong was due to arrive at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to tracking website VesselFinder. The container ship was built in 2005 and currently sails under the flag of Madeira.
There were fears the Portuguese vessel was carrying sodium cyanide when it collided with tanker Stena Immaculate on Monday morning.
But on Tuesday, shipping company Ernst Russ said Solong has empty containers previously used to transport the “hazardous chemical”.
Ernst Russ said in a statement: “We are able to confirm that there are no containers onboard ladened with sodium cyanide, as has been misreported.
“There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical, and these containers will continue to be monitored.”
It made contact with a US-flagged oil tanker, called the Stena Immaculate, which was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks when it was struck.
At least one tank “was ruptured”, according to the company.
The tanker was operating as part of the US government’s Tanker Security Programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed. It had been anchored while waiting for a berth to become available at the Port of Killingholme, on the River Humber, Crowley said.
Environmental disaster narrowly averted, Greenpeace warns
Wednesday 12 March 2025 19:00 , Jabed AhmedCommenting on the aftermath of the collision between a tanker and a container ship in the North Sea, Dr Paul Johnston from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, said: “We’re not quite out of the danger zone yet, but it’s starting to look like an environmental disaster may have been narrowly averted.
“When a container ship the length of a football pitch rams into a tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of jet fuel at 16 knots close to sensitive nature sites, the potential for serious harm is huge.
“In terms of minimising any further risks to marine life, the priority should now be to ensure as far as possible that both ships remain afloat, that no further jet fuel leaks from the tanker and that the cargo of the container ship is fully characterised and secured.
“As investigations get underway, we must learn every lesson possible from this incident. Ship collisions, groundings and sinkings are not uncommon. Though an incident of this scale is rare, any such accident has the potential to become an environmental disaster.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with millions of tonnes of oil and oil products floating in tankers on our oceans each and every day. Whether it’s air pollution, climate change or oil spills, fossil fuels are a risk multiplier wherever they are produced, used and found - the sooner we reduce our dependence on them, the better.”
Shadow minister says Solong captain's nationality raises 'questions' about incident
Wednesday 12 March 2025 18:45 , Bryony GoochShadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew said the nationality of the Solong’s captain raises “further questions” about the incident.
He told the PA news agency: “Where military assets are damaged it is vital that motives are fully investigated to exclude foul play.
“The nationality of the captain of the Solong raises further questions about potential motivation that the Government must now get to the bottom of.”
He called for a full investigation into the incident.
North Sea collision timeline: How devastating oil tanker crash unfolded
Wednesday 12 March 2025 18:30 , Bryony GoochAlexander Butler and Stuti Mishra report:
North Sea collision timeline: How devastating oil tanker crash unfolded
Fears for hundreds of thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast after North Sea collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 18:00 , Jabed AhmedNorth Sea collision: Fears for thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast
North Sea collision: New footage shows moment of impact in heavy fog
Wednesday 12 March 2025 17:45 , Bryony GoochCaspar Barnes reports:
North Sea collision: New footage shows moment of impact in heavy fog
WATCH: New footage shows heavy fog at moment of North Sea collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 17:18 , Bryony GoochFootage obtained of the moment Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate shows heavy fog in the North Sea impaired visibility.
Solong remains on fire, says vessel owner
Wednesday 12 March 2025 17:09 , Bryony GoochThe container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea is still on fire, the vessel’s owner has said.
Shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns Solong, said it has separated from the Stena Immaculate and drifted south.
“Fire activity onboard the vessel has diminished since yesterday. The vessel continues to emit smoke with occasional reports of flames,” the company said
“Salvage and marine firefighting craft are on scene and will remain engaged. The Coastguard has confirmed that there have been no further reports of pollution to the sea since the initial incident.
“We are very aware of the efforts and assistance from all those acting in the response. We want to thank everyone who has responded urgently and gallantly to this incident.
“Our team is actively engaged with all parties as we work to maintain responder safety, mitigate impacts to the marine environment, and recover the vessel. Ernst Russ is working with the authorities in the investigations now underway to more fully understand these events and learn from the findings.”
The company said: “We remain mindful of the loss of a crew member. Our thoughts remain with the family of that crew member at this very distressing time. We are providing every support possible.”
Solong still on fire
Wednesday 12 March 2025 16:37 , Jabed AhmedThe container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea is still on fire, the vessel’s owner has said.
Shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns Solong, said it has separated from the Stena Immaculate and drifted south.
“Fire activity onboard the vessel has diminished since yesterday. The vessel continues to emit smoke with occasional reports of flames,” the company said.
“Salvage and marine firefighting craft are on scene and will remain engaged. The Coastguard has confirmed that there have been no further reports of pollution to the sea since the initial incident.
“We are very aware of the efforts and assistance from all those acting in the response. We want to thank everyone who has responded urgently and gallantly to this incident.
“Our team is actively engaged with all parties as we work to maintain responder safety, mitigate impacts to the marine environment, and recover the vessel. Ernst Russ is working with the authorities in the investigations now underway to more fully understand these events and learn from the findings.”
The company said: “We remain mindful of the loss of a crew member. Our thoughts remain with the family of that crew member at this very distressing time. We are providing every support possible.”
Recap | Timeline of Moday's events
Wednesday 12 March 2025 16:30 , Jabed Ahmed9.48am: HM Coastguard receives reports of an allision – a term used when a moving ship strikes a stationary object – involving the two vessels in the Humber estuary’s outer anchorage.
10.20am: Four RNLI lifeboats are dispatched following reports of crew members abandoning ship and fires on board.
11.28am: East Midlands Ambulance Service sends multiple units, including its hazardous area response team (HART), following a 999 call.
1.30pm: Martyn Boyers, chief executive officer of the Port of Grimsby East, confirms 32 casualties have been brought to shore.
2.20pm: The US-based marine news outlet gCaptain reports that the US government has not ruled out foul play, citing an unnamed White House source.
2.36pm: Crowley, the company that operates the Stena Immaculate, confirms that the vessel is leaking jet fuel but that its entire crew is accounted for.
2.38pm: The Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirms it has deployed investigators to Grimsby to assess the situation.
4.34pm: A spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describes the incident as “deeply concerning”.
7.46pm: Ernst Russ, the Solong’s owner, confirms that 13 of its 14 crew members have made it safely ashore, but one person is still missing.
9.30pm: HM Coastguard states the search for the missing Solong crew member has been stood down, though 36 people have been successfully rescued.
11.20pm: The Solong breaks away from the Stena Immaculate and starts drifting southwards. A 1km exclusion zone is established as a precaution.
What is the scale of the risk to the environment?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 15:59 , Jabed AhmedThe East Yorkshire coast is home to a number of colonies of seabirds including puffins and kittiwakes, while there are significant numbers of Atlantic grey seals and porpoises in the area.
Toxic oil spills can harm or kill marine wildlife and affect fishing, with concerns raised that the spill of jet fuel could be potentially devastating for the wildlife of the Humber estuary.
However, Crowley, the maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, said it remains unclear how much Jet A1 fuel was released when it was hit by the Solong, but an initial review shows it had evaporated due to exposure to fires on both vessels.
Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, previously said the incident was “troubling” because it appeared to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water, while he also suggested the “environmental toll could be severe”.
Assistant chief coastguard John Craig said: “A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels.
“The MCA’s concern in relation to tanks on the Solong has reduced with tugs now able to work in close vicinity.
“The threat from the previously identified dangerous goods on board has reduced significantly. Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.”
What was the cargo ship carrying?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 15:27 , Jabed AhmedDespite previous media reports, the shipping company which owns the Solong has denied that the vessel was carrying sodium cyanide.
Ernst Russ said in a statement: “We are able to confirm that there are no containers onboard ladened with sodium cyanide, as has been misreported.
“There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical, and these containers will continue to be monitored.”
It is now expected to stay afloat and can be towed away from the shore ahead of salvage operations.
Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said on Tuesday evening that salvage companies were now at the scene and developing a plan for both the Solong and the Stena Immaculate oil tanker.
Mr Craig said: “A tow line has now successfully been put in place and a tug is holding Solong offshore in a safer position. There are still some flames visible on the main deck of the Solong and firefighting is focusing on this area. A salvage plan is being developed with the appointed salvors on scene.”
Who is the missing sailor?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 14:59 , Jabed AhmedLittle is known about the sailor who is presumed dead on the MV Solong, with the search called off on Monday evening.
Shipping company Ernst Russ confirmed that the other 13 crew members were safe and accounted for, along with all of the Stena Immaculate’s 20 crew members.
One RNLI crew member told The Times the fog was so thick during the initial search and rescue crews could “not see a thing”.
“We are not equipped with firefighting equipment for this type of incident,” he said.
The captain of the Solong, a 59-year-old Russian national, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and remains in police custody.
What caused the collision?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 14:29 , Jabed AhmedShip-tracking data shows that the Stena Immaculate was practically stationary at the time of the crash, and was drifting at 0.1 knots at 9.48am.
Meanwhile, the 140-metre Solong was moving at an average speed of 16 knots as it travelled from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam. Just minutes later, Marine Traffic shows that the speed had dropped to 3 knots as it is believed to have hit the oil tanker.
While the cause of the collision remains unclear, it has been suggested that autopilot could have played a part if nobody had been maintaining a proper lookout.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, told Sky News: “They have a thing called autopilot, and that’s what I would suspect has been the issue. If it’s been put on autopilot and there’s no one on the bridge, which would happen, then it’d just go straight on.
“Autopilot just steers a course, they don’t deviate, there’s no bend in the sea.”
Dr Abdul Khalique, head of the Maritime Centre at Liverpool John Moores University, said: “It can be assumed that the watchkeepers on MV Solong were not performing their duty to ‘maintain a proper lookout by all available means’ as required by international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.”
A Stena Immaculate sailor told the US network CBS News the Solong didn’t immediately stop and drove into their ship for what seemed like 10 minutes.
Other crew members said it appeared nobody was on the bridge of the Solong at the moment of the crash, he added.
Poor visibility may also have played a role in the collision, with heavy fog across the Humber Estuary on Monday.
Shadow transport minister calls for investigation into potential foul play
Wednesday 12 March 2025 13:59 , Jabed AhmedShadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew has called for a full investigation into the damaged military assets from the Solong collision.
He told the PA news agency: “Where military assets are damaged it is vital that motives are fully investigated to exclude foul play.
“The nationality of the captain of the Solong raises further questions about potential motivation that the Government must now get to the bottom of.”
Who is likely to be responsible for the clean-up costs?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 13:38 , Jabed AhmedHarj Narulla, a climate and environmental barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, said: “Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the UK Government is likely to meet many of the immediate clean-up and emergency response costs. The vessel owners and their insurers may also meet costs.
“The Government may in due course seek to recover their cleanup costs from the owners and insurers of both vessels.
“If other parties suffer loss — such as local fishing companies, local government or tourism operators — they could also commence claims against the vessel owners and insurers. “
No further pollution reported as salvage efforts continue
Wednesday 12 March 2025 13:19 , Jabed AhmedThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) continues to coordinate the response to the collision between, it said in a statement.
MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “There have been no further reports of pollution to the sea from either vessel beyond what was observed during the initial incident.
“HM Coastguard’s counter pollution and salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required. Salvors also have equipment and personnel ready to respond to any pollution.
“The MCA is working with the salvage companies who are responding on behalf of the vessels’ owners and are working in full co-operation with all commercial and government partners. The overarching objective is to protect the public and the environment to the best of our ability, during this ongoing incident response.
“The Solong is being held in a safe position offshore by a tug and further support vessels remain in the ship’s immediate vicinity. This morning’s (12 March) assessment shows the fires on board the ship have greatly reduced in their extent and intensity.
“The Stena Immaculate remains at anchor, with safety tugs in position should they be required. There are no visible flames on board and an on-board assessment may be carried out later today.
“Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so. Only then will it be possible to carry out comprehensive damage assessments.”
Listen | Coastguard call after oil tanker and cargo ship collide in North Sea
Wednesday 12 March 2025 12:56 , Jabed AhmedWatch | Aerial images show extent of damage to North Sea oil tanker
Wednesday 12 March 2025 12:29 , Jabed AhmedFears for hundreds of thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast after North Sea collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 12:01 , Jabed AhmedNorth Sea collision: Fears for thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast
Environmental disaster narrowly averted, Greenpeace warns
Wednesday 12 March 2025 11:42 , Jabed AhmedCommenting on the aftermath of the collision between a tanker and a container ship in the North Sea, Dr Paul Johnston from the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, said: “We’re not quite out of the danger zone yet, but it’s starting to look like an environmental disaster may have been narrowly averted.
“When a container ship the length of a football pitch rams into a tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of jet fuel at 16 knots close to sensitive nature sites, the potential for serious harm is huge.
“In terms of minimising any further risks to marine life, the priority should now be to ensure as far as possible that both ships remain afloat, that no further jet fuel leaks from the tanker and that the cargo of the container ship is fully characterised and secured.
“As investigations get underway, we must learn every lesson possible from this incident. Ship collisions, groundings and sinkings are not uncommon. Though an incident of this scale is rare, any such accident has the potential to become an environmental disaster.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with millions of tonnes of oil and oil products floating in tankers on our oceans each and every day. Whether it’s air pollution, climate change or oil spills, fossil fuels are a risk multiplier wherever they are produced, used and found - the sooner we reduce our dependence on them, the better.”
Oceana UK says oil spill threatens marine protected areas
Wednesday 12 March 2025 11:29 , Jabed AhmedHugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, said: “This incident is a shocking reminder of the ferocious polluting power of oil.
“We are seeing burning slicks, the threat of heavy fuel oil, and toxic chemicals leaking in or near not one but two marine protected areas (MPAs). Places that should be safe havens for wildlife.”
Mr Tagholm said the Southern North Sea and Holderness MPAs protect declining harbour porpoises and rich seafloor habitats, which are both highly sensitive to toxic spills.
“Oil is always an accident waiting to happen in our ocean and we are all familiar with its devastating impacts – seabirds slick with oil, marine life struggling in tarry tidelines, and a toxic legacy that can impact wildlife and coastal communities for years. More oil will always result in more spills,” he added.
“It is also deeply concerning that the cargo vessel is reportedly carrying sodium cyanide, a severely toxic chemical that can devastate marine wildlife if in high enough concentrations. For now, we don’t know how much, if any, reached the water but we have sent an Oceana team to the North East to monitor developments.”
Is there suspected foul play?
Wednesday 12 March 2025 11:20 , Jabed AhmedAmerican-based maritime news website gCaptain reported that it was told by a US official in the White House that foul play had not been ruled out.
UK transport minister Mike Kane told MPs on Tuesday something went “terribly wrong” for the crash to happen but that there was “no evidence” of foul play.
A 59-year-old Russian national was arrested by Humberside Police on Tuesday on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Oil tanker Stena Immaculate was operating as part of the US government’s tanker security programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
Expert warns Hull's protected marine areas at risk from oil spill pollution
Wednesday 12 March 2025 11:09 , Jabed AhmedDaniela Schmidt, professor of earth sciences at the University of Bristol, said: “There are several Marine protected areas near Hull such as Flamborough Head and Holderness.
“These areas are protected due to their rich habitats supporting marine wildlife including fish, bivalves, crabs and birds. Around Flamborough the nesting season will soon start.
“While the first focus is on containing the fire, the pollution connected to the accident has the potential to spread widely depending on the currents and waves with the risk of impacting these protected areas.
“Natural England and North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority will be monitoring the distribution of the oil film closely but at the moment it is to early to determine the impacts.”
The ships involved in the collision
Wednesday 12 March 2025 10:59 , Jabed AhmedExpert warns of 'devastating' effect on marine ecosystems and wildlife
Wednesday 12 March 2025 10:49 , Jabed AhmedTom Brook, an ocean conservation specialist at WWF-UK, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident. While it's too soon to fully understand the impacts, we know that oil spills can have devastating and long-lasting effects on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
“However, many marine species, including fish and dolphins likely moved away from the scene quite quickly, and the full environmental impact may not be clear until we understand the scale of the event.
“Unlike other oil spills, we may not see birds, other species, or habitats drenched in oil. From the information available, the incident involves jet fuel, which is likely to evaporate off more rapidly than heavier oils. The ability to respond quickly may also help mitigate the broader environmental impact, in an otherwise tragic situation.”
