Container ship damaged in crash with North Sea oil tanker arrives in Scotland

A container ship involved in a serious collision with a US oil tanker in the North Sea has been successfully towed to Aberdeen, Scotland. The Portuguese vessel, Solong, crashed into the anchored tanker, Stena Immaculate, on March 10. While 36 crew members were rescued, one sailor remains missing and is presumed dead. The captain of the Solong faces charges of gross negligence manslaughter, with a trial scheduled for January 2026.

Details of the Collision and Aftermath

The incident occurred off the East Yorkshire coast, leading to a dramatic rescue operation. The Solong was towed to Scotland for “safe berthing” after the collision. Rescuers managed to save all but one of the crew members from both vessels. The missing sailor, identified as Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino national, is feared dead. The captain of the Solong, Vladimir Motin, aged 59, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and is set to stand trial in January 2026.

In the aftermath of the crash, the Solong continued to burn for a week. The crew of the Stena Immaculate was commended for their quick actions in activating a crucial firefighting system before abandoning ship. Fortunately, only one of the tanker’s cargo tanks, which contained jet fuel, was damaged during the incident, according to Crowley, the maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate.

As the Solong approached the Port of Aberdeen at around 7 am on Friday, it was accompanied by a vessel equipped with counter-pollution measures. A spokesperson for Ernt Russ, the owner of the Solong, stated that the ship would undergo a thorough assessment by marine specialists and insurers upon arrival. Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan confirmed that salvage operations for the Solong had progressed, allowing for its relocation to the port for safe berthing. Meanwhile, the Stena Immaculate remains stable as salvage efforts continue.

Following the collision, thousands of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, were released from the Solong and began washing ashore on Norfolk beaches. While these pellets are not toxic, they pose a risk to wildlife if ingested. The King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council has initiated cleanup efforts, focusing on the beaches between Holme-next-the-Sea and Old Hunstanton. O’Callaghan noted that HM Coastguard is actively supporting local authorities in managing the pollution response and will continue to monitor the situation closely.