THE firm behind the oil tanker which collided with a cargo ship in the North Sea resulting in “multiple explosions” has issued its first statement following the incident.
The coastguard was called to the collision in the Humber Estuary near Grimsby on Monday, involving a US-flagged tanker called the MV Stena Immaculate.
Lifeboats and a helicopter were called to assist those who were involved as Stena Bulk, the owner of the oil tanker involved in the crash in the North Sea, said the crew were safe.
In a statement posted on social media, the maritime firm Crowley, which manages the tanker involved in the collision, added that the tanker spilled Jet-Al fuel which then caught alight, resulting in a fire.
It added the crew then abandoned the vessel following multiple explosions onboard.
The statement read: “At approximately 10am UTC/5am EST on March 10 2025, while anchored off the North Sea coast near Hull, United Kingdom, the Crowley-managed tanker Stena Immaculate was struck by the container ship Solong.
“The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-Al fuel due to the allision.
“A fire occurred as a result of the allision, and fuel was reported released.
“The Stena Immaculate crew abandoned the vessel following multiple explosions onboard.
“All Crowley mariners are safe and fully accounted for.
“Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel.
“Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment.
“We will provide more updates as information becomes available.”
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 10, then another nine, on a harbour pilot boat.
Solong — a Portuguese-flagged container — appears on radar to collide with the tanker at around 9.48am.
Boyers said he received reports of a “massive fireball” which was seen after the collision but added that the ships are too far away from shore to see.
He said: "We have seen the vessels bringing" the casualties in from the ships.
“They must have sent a mayday out - luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already. “Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.”
