North Sea collision - latest: Cargo ship captain arrested for manslaughter as fears grow for marine life

Yahoo

12-03-2025

The captain of the Solong container ship has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision in the North Sea.
The owner of the cargo ship confirmed that the 59-year-old had been arrested on Tuesday , after the ship collided with the US-flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate on Monday morning.
Humberside Police have begun a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision and are working in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson, said: 'The man arrested remains in custody at this time whilst enquiries are underway, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident.'
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Kane said that while all members of the Stena Immaculate crew were safe and accounted for, 13 of the 14 sailors on the Solong were rescued with the working assumption one was deceased.
There are fears for nearby protected areas, supporting marine wildlife including fish, bivalves, crabs and birds, that could be impacted by leaking jet fuel and other substances.
Man arrested over UK tanker crash is captain of container ship
Mapped: Where did the North Sea ships collide?
Minister pledges to find body of missing sailor
MV Stena was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel
No10: 'We are working urgently to assess environmental impacts'
No sodium cyanide on board shipping container, says Solong owner
06:38 , Stuti Mishra
The collision took place on the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire, with the oil tanker at anchor.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said he had been told there was 'a massive fireball' following the crash.
06:30 , Stuti Mishra
The Solong container ship is now expected to stay afloat, transport secretary Heidi Alexander has said.
Earlier transport minister Mike Kane said the vessel was expected to sink.
Ms Alexander said she was reassured by indications from the ship's owners that the sodium cyanide containers on board were empty, with salvors working to confirm this.
"I was also pleased to have been informed that early indications suggest that both vessels are now expected to stay afloat and that the Solong can be towed away from the shore, and salvage operations can get under way," she said.
05:49 , Stuti Mishra
In this audio, which was shared on social media, you can hear the Coastguard's emergency call after an oil tanker and cargo ship collided in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast.
05:15 , Stuti Mishra
04:45 , Stuti Mishra
It is dubbed the 'Lobster Capital of Europe', with around 3,000 tonnes of the crustaceans landing there every year.
Skipper owner Neil Robson knows just how much the East Yorkshire seaside town of Bridlington relies on its shellfish trade having fished out of the area all his life and his family-business, Genesis Fishing Ltd, now catching crab and lobster for the UK and international markets.
The 63-year-old was on board his boat Genesis on Monday when a message came over the radio of a major collision involving a cargo ship and oil tanker in the North Sea.
Read more:
East Yorkshire skipper describes 'panic' after North Sea collision
04:15 , Stuti Mishra
Tom 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.'
03:42 , Stuti Mishra
The Humber ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull and Goole re-opened yesterday evening, according to the their owner Associated British Ports (ABP).
Restrictions remain in place while the ABP "continues to support ongoing emergency operations," it said.
03:11 , Stuti Mishra
The full extent of a fuel leak following the North Sea tanker collision remains uncertain but Crowley, the company managing the Stena Immaculate oil tanker, says the initial impact appears to be minimal.
"It remains unclear at this time what volume of fuel may have been released as a result of the incident, but initial review shows impacts have been limited due to exposure to the fire and evaporation of the Jet A1 fuel," the company said.
02:00 , Athena Stavrou
The captain of a cargo vessel has been arrested after a collision with an oil tanker off the East Yorkshire coast, as experts warn the coming hours will be 'critical' in determining environmental impact of the crash.
Owners of the Solong container ship confirmed its captain had been arrested, hours after Humberside Police said it had arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following the collision between the Portuguese vessel and US tanker Stena Immaculate.
One crew member from the Solong is still missing and presumed dead, after a search and rescue operation was ended on Monday evening.
Read the full story:
Cargo ship captain arrested after oil tanker collision in North Sea
01:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Daniela 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 23:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Hugo 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 23:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj 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. '
Tuesday 11 March 2025 22:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj Narulla, a climate and environmental lawyer, explained: 'While we still do not know all the facts, it appears as though the Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate, which was at anchor.
'Despite this, the Stena Immaculate and its insurers are strictly liable under UK law for any oil pollution coming from its cargo.
'Similarly, both the Solong and Stena Immaculate and their insurers would be liable for any pollution coming from bunker oil released from the vessels.
'If investigations show that the Solong is responsible for the collision, we may see the Stena Immaculate pursuing legal action against the Solong's owners and their insurers.
'This is likely to be in UK courts, but could also occur in the US or Portugal as the flag States for each vessel.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 21:46 , Lucy Leeson
There are fears for hundreds of thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast following an explosive collision between an oil tanker and a cargo ship.
Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington in East Yorkshire, sees around 500,000 seabirds gather there between March and August to breed on the towering white cliffs that overlook the North Sea.
The Independent visited the wildlife site, home to puffins, gannets, kittiwakes and guillemots on Tuesday (11 March), just a day after the collision.
Visitor experience manager Danielle Jackson said: "We are highly concerned about the impact the collision will have on our seabird population here and what this could mean for their futures.
"We don't know exactly how long it's going to take for the birds and the wildlife and the nature to recover from this kind of incident."
Lucy Leeson reports:
Fears for thousands of seabirds on the East Yorkshire coast after North Sea collision
Tuesday 11 March 2025 21:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 20:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Dr Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said: 'The wildlife of the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary is of immense biological, cultural and economic importance. In addition to the wealth of marine life that is present all year round, this time of the year is crucial for many migratory species.
'Chemical pollution resulting from incidents of this kind can directly impact birds, and it can also have long-lasting effects on the marine food webs that support them.'
Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, said: 'Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors. The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes.
'This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 19:00 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj Narulla, a climate and environmental lawyer, has said the legal position is 'far from certain' regarding the collision.
'Both international and domestic laws will apply to the emergency response, clean-up operations and resolving who pays for this accident,' he said.
'This is likely to be litigated in the UK because the accident occurred in British territorial waters, although compensation claims may end up being brought in the US and Portugal, as the flag States for the vessels.
'The owners and insurers of both vessels are likely to be liable for the pollution caused. This will include the oil carried as cargo and any heavy fuel oil that leaks from the vessels.'
The UK is a signatory to a number of relevant international treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, he explained.
Mr Narulla said domestically, the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 will likely apply to determine who is liable to pay for this accident.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 18:42
'Ernst Russ can confirm that the master of the containership SOLONG has been detained by Humberside police in the UK. The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations. Out of respect for the investigation and all involved we will not comment further at this time.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 18:15 , Athena Stavrou
The man arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter over Monday's tanker collision off England's northeast coast is the captain of the Solong container ship, the ships owner told The Independent on Tuesday.
Earlier, Humberside Police confirmed that a 59-year-old man had been arrested.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 18:00 , Jabed Ahmed
The HM Coastguard's Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Team addresses maritime pollution incidents. This ranges from oil spills to debris such as plastics and timber.
Responsibility for responding to maritime pollution within the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone, extending up to 200 nautical miles from land, primarily falls to HM Coastguard.
However, Local port or harbour authorities handle incidents within their jurisdictions, often deploying their own counter-pollution equipment, the coastguards website says.
For pollution originating from land, environmental regulators like the Environment Agency or local councils may take charge.
If the pollution exceeds the responsible party's capacity to manage, the CPS Team ensures an adequate response to protect public health and the environment. They collaborate with specialist agencies, including nature conservation bodies and fishery regulators, to assess potential impacts and guide the response strategy.
For large-scale incidents, they utilise dedicated pollution response equipment and contractors, with stockpiles strategically located across the UK to ensure rapid deployment within 15 hours.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 17:00 , Jabed Ahmed
A maritime expert said 'human factors' play a major role in most collisions similar to the North Sea crash between a cargo ship and a tanker.
Dr Seyedvahid Vakili, of the University of Southampton, said at this stage it was 'difficult to determine the main cause of the collision'.
He said: 'In most cases human factors play a significant role.
'This is particularly relevant for container vessels where high workloads and fatigue can be major contributing factors.
'At this stage it needs further comprehensive investigation.'
Tiago Alves, a professor at Cardiff University's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said on Monday that the rescued seafarers 'can contribute to a future investigation'.
He said: 'The oil tanker was seemingly under a military mission and might have been found, unexpectedly, anchored in an area that is not common for ships to moor.
'The tanker is now visible on vesselfinder.com (a ship tracking website), but it may have also been radar silent at the time of the crash, for security reasons.
'Only a thorough investigation will reach a final conclusion on what happened.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 16:49 , Athena Stavrou
The Solong container ship involved in a collision in the North Sea on Monday is now expected to stay afloat, the Transport Secretary said.
Heidi Alexander said she met with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's chief executive Virginia McVea on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the response to the incident.
She said: "I am reassured to hear indications from the ship's owners which suggest the sodium cyanide containers were empty and that efforts to confirm this by the salvors are underway."
I was also pleased to have been informed that early indications suggest that both vessels are now expected to stay afloat and that the Solong can be towed away from the shore, and salvage operations can get under way."
I will continue to monitor the response and have asked for regular updates, including on any potential environmental impacts, across government and our agencies."
Tuesday 11 March 2025 16:47 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 16:34 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 16:19 , Jabed Ahmed
Karin Ström, Vice President at procurement and supply chain consultancy Proxima, said the collision between the MV Stena Immaculate and MV Solong was a major incident with serious consequences for shipping and global supply chains.
She said: "The collision between the MV Stena Immaculate and the MV Solong represents a major incident with significant implications for shipping and global supply chains. The explosions, fires, and potential environmental hazards underscore the high risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials.
"From a shipping and supply chain perspective, the immediate impacts are already being felt, with key shipping lanes in the North Sea closed or disrupted.
'In the medium term, we can expect continued closures, re-routing, and delays of vessels, particularly affecting key shuttle ports like Rotterdam to Felixstowe, Tilbury, Hull, and Middlesbrough, as well as short sea shipments from northern Europe. This disruption will have a direct impact on industries that rely on just-in-time delivery, especially the retail and automotive sectors.
"Retailers are likely to turn to alternative transport solutions to secure their supply chains, moving goods into southern ports and utilising rail to transport containers to northern distribution centres.
'Retailers with strong rail network contracts will be better positioned to manage the delays, while those dependent on shuttle routes between northern Europe and northern England may face more strain. Additionally, road and air freight will see a rise in volume for critical transports.
"This incident may also lead to regulatory changes, particularly around the transportation of dangerous goods and environmental protection. If further contributing factors are revealed during the investigation, we can anticipate increased oversight and potentially higher operational costs for shipping companies handling hazardous cargo."
Tuesday 11 March 2025 16:09 , Jabed Ahmed
Tom Brook, 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 15:47 , Jabed Ahmed
Maritime minister Mike Kane has said a Liberal Democrat MP was 'right to raise' the issue of whether foreign interference was at play in the incident.
Mr Kane was asked by Calum Miller to 'assure us the government and its agencies will make an assessment so we can be clear there has been no foreign interference in this terrible accident'.
The minister replied: 'At the moment, we feel there is no malign intention to this incident. However, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch will investigate.
'They will give me their initial findings as soon as humanly possible.
'We will take the matter from there, but he is right to raise it. '
Tuesday 11 March 2025 15:36 , Jabed Ahmed
A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with yesterday's collision in the North Sea, Humberside Police have said.
Humberside Police have begun a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision and are working in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said: 'Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels.
'Extensive work has already been carried out, and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.
'Following enquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the SOLONG.
'Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member, and I have appointed Family Liaison Officers to make contact and provide support to the family.
'The man arrested remains in custody at this time whilst enquiries are underway, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 15:26 , Jabed Ahmed
One of the crew members from the tanker Stena Immaculate said he was grateful to be alive after the dramatic events in the North Sea.
The 23-member crew remained in Grimsby as investigators and salvage teams began searching for answers about the collision.
An American crew member, who wished to remain anonymous, said he just wanted to go home after being forced to abandon ship amid multiple explosions in the vessel's cargo of jet fuel.
When asked how he was feeling, one crew member told Sky News: "A lot better than yesterday."
Another added: "I'm just fine. I've been doing this for forty years. I'm just keen to get back on another ship."
"It has been a hell of a time," another told Sky News. "But the crew's all fine, thanks. Godspeed."
Tuesday 11 March 2025 15:23 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 14:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Our Climate Correspondent Stuti Mishra reports:
What are the environmental risks after North Sea collision?
Tuesday 11 March 2025 14:43 , Millie Cooke
The leader of Hull City Council, Mike Ross, has called for the government to convene an emergency Cobra meeting in response to the North Sea collision and fuel spill, which occurred miles off Hull's coastline.
He said the meeting is needed to avoid potential 'environmental catastrophe' adding: 'It is only right and proper that all available resources are used to try to contain and limit the damage.'
'We urgently need to see the scale of the area affected assessed and the level of pollution resulting from the crash. That's why I'm calling on Keir Starmer to convene COBRA today.
'People across Hull and East Yorkshire, and especially Holderness, deserve assurances that their local communities, coastline and wildlife will be safe. We will only get this assurance if the government acts quickly", he said in a statement.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 14:28 , Jabed Ahmed
Martijn Schuttevaer, spokesperson for Boskalis, which is the appointed salvage operator for Stena Immaculate, said it is able to approach the vessel to 'measure the temperature'.
He told PA: 'We are now allowed to approach the vessel to verify, to ascertain, to measure the temperature of the ship, to make sure there are no more hot spots within the vessel.
'Because if there are, and that is something which is quite common, then you run the risk of a flaring up of the fire when oxygen gets there.
'From the outside it's looking relatively calm.
'At the same time, the vessel is quite charred on the outside.
'We first need to understand the temperatures inside and also confirm whether there are no toxic fumes around the vessel, a safety hazard, before we can then look at what the next step would be to either transfer the cargo or take the vessel into a port.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 14:12 , Bryony Gooch
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:53 , Jabed Ahmed
Counter pollution measures will begin once the fire on the Solong has been put out, transport minister Mike Kane told the Commons.
This came in response to Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Paul Kohler, who said: 'Can I ask the minister, what immediate steps the Government is taking to protect the environment along the east coast?
'Two, what the minister is doing to keep shipping routes open and safe? And three, what plan does the Government have to support fishing and other businesses that rely on waters that might now be contaminated?'
Mr Kane replied: 'The MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) is standing by with marine and aerial counter pollution measures, those are in place. Once we get the fire on the Solong out, we will begin to deploy them, assess the situation and begin to deploy those measures.
'And I've said, it's vital that we keep shipping lanes open as best we can in the Humber Estuary as this continues.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:46 , Bryony Gooch
Tom Brook, 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:35 , Bryony Gooch
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:25 , Bryony Gooch
Something has gone 'terribly wrong' in the North Sea, minister Mike Kane said, as he pledged to do 'everything' possible to recover the body of the missing crew member.
In the Commons, shadow transport minister Jerome Mayhew said: 'The minister has confirmed that early investigations do not point to foul play, but will he commit to remain vigilant, to ensure that any indications of foul play are carefully investigated?'
He added: 'It is clear that something went terribly wrong in the handling of these two vessels. We will support the minister in whatever action is needed to ensure the highest standards of safety on the high seas.'
Mr Mayhew also asked what cargo was being carried on the MV Solong, and if the Environment Agency had responded to concerns of 'potentially devastating impacts of pollution from the tankers on habitats and species in the area, including threatened seabird colonies, grey seals and fish'.
Mr Kane said the Government 'will do everything to recover the body of the mariner', adding: 'Something did go terribly wrong, he is exactly right, and my thoughts and prayers are with the missing sailor's family, the company has been informed, and his next of kin are being informed.'
He added the cargo of the Solong is 'yet to be established', and there is 'no evidence' to suggest foul play.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:21 , Bryony Gooch
Minister Mike Kane, addressing the cargo on the vessels, told the Commons: 'The MV Stena was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, which was the source of the fire.'
Mr Kane said work is ongoing to determine what cargo the MV Solong was carrying, adding: 'I'm aware of media reporting regarding potential hazardous materials on board but we're unable to confirm at this time.
'However, counter-pollution measures and assets are already in place and both vessels are being closely monitored for structural integrity.'
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been deployed to the site and begun its investigation, MPs heard.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:16 , Bryony Gooch
Transport minister Mike Kane said the fire on the Stena Immaculate 'appears to be extinguished but the Solong continues to burn'.
He told MPs: 'Although they became attached to each other during the collision, the Solong broke free of the Stena Immaculate late last night and began drifting southwards.
'Modelling suggests that should the Solong remain afloat it'll remain clear of land for the next few hours. The assessment of His Majesty's Coastguard is, however, that it is unlikely the vessel will remain afloat.
'Tugboats are in the vicinity to ensure that the Solong remains away from the coast and to respond as the situation develops.
'I want to be clear that while there are 1,000-metre temporary exclusion zones established around both vessels, maritime traffic through the Humber Estuary is continuing.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:09 , Millie Cooke
One crew member on board a cargo ship involved in the collision in the North Sea has been presumed dead, transport minister Mike Kane told the House of Commons.
The sailor, who was working on board the Solong, remains missing after the collision over the weekend and the search and rescue operation has now been called off, Mr Kane said.
The full crew of the other ship involved, the Stena Immaculate, have been accounted for and are now on shore.
Mr Kane told the Commons: 'Search and rescue operations for the missing sailor continued throughout yesterday but were called off yesterday evening at the point at which the chances of their survival had unfortunately significantly diminished.
'Our working assumption is that very sadly, that the sailor is deceased.
'The Coast Guard has informed the company, and they have been advised to inform the next of kin. Our thoughts are with the sailor's loved ones at this time.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:03 , Millie Cooke
Transport minister Mike Kane has praised the efforts of responders on the scene at the North Sea collision, saying they are both 'brave and hugely appreciated'.
Giving a statement on the ongoing situation in the Commons, Mr Kane also offered his thanks to all those involved in firefighting and search and rescue operations.
'I want to begin by offering my sincere thanks to all those who are responding on the front line, from its Majesty's Coast Guard to local emergency services', he told the Commons.
'This is a challenging situation, and I know I speak for everyone in this house when I say that the responders ongoing efforts are both brave and hugely appreciated.
He also thanked international partners for their 'many offers of assistance to the UK'.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 13:02 , Bryony Gooch
Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'We are working urgently with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to assess the potential environmental impacts and mitigations.
'A temporary exclusion zone has been established around the ships to reduce the risk to the wider shipping industry in the area.
'We are working as quickly as possible to assess the impact of the incident on water pollution and the marine environment. It's obviously a fast moving, difficult situation, given that the jet fueled cargo from one of the ships is currently on fire.
'As soon as that fire is out, we'll be able to assess better how to mitigate the impacts on the marine environment.'
One of the fires has been put out.
'There does not appear to be any suggestion of foul play at this time.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 12:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Daniela 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 12:43 , Bryony Gooch
Solong, the Portuguese vessel involved in a crash with US tanker Stena Immaculate, is still alight and has drifted away from the original site of the collision, His Majesty's Coastguard said.
Air quality at ground level has also been deemed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs as 'within normal levels for the weather conditions', they added.
'The Solong is still alight and the fire on board the Stena Immaculate has greatly diminished,' HM Coastguard said on Tuesday afternoon.
'Safety vessels and other vessels with firefighting capabilities are still on scene with more arriving today.
'At 11.20pm last night the Solong separated from the Stena Immaculate and began to drift southwards, this is being monitored by HM Coastguard. An exclusion zone of 1km radius has been put in place around both vessels.
'The Counter Pollution and Salvage Team is assessing the situation and is developing a plan ready for implementation as soon as the situation allows.
'The SOSREP is working with ship owners, salvors and insurance companies.
'The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is monitoring the situation closely and has confirmed that air quality at ground level is currently within normal levels for the weather conditions.
'The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) is also assisting in the response, and has advised that any public health risk on shore is currently deemed to be very low
'HSA risk assessments are under continual review as further information becomes available.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 12:33 , Bryony Gooch
Solong owner Ernst Russ has now said the ship has 'no containers on board ladened with sodium cyanide', after reports circulated that the ship was transporting the chemical, prompting further fears over the incident's environmental damage.
Local wildlife trusts have raised concerns about the impact of any pollution from the two vessels on an array of species, including threatened seabird colonies, grey seals, harbour porpoises, fish, and minke whales.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 12:21 , Jabed Ahmed
Dutch marine provider Boskalis will salvage the US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate, a spokesperson has said.
He could not give a time frame for the salvaging but added that four ships carrying foam and extinguishing agents were already en route to put out the fire caused by the collision.
Another company would salvage Solong, the other container ship involved in the collision, Boskalis' spokesperson said without specifying which company.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 11:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Dr Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said: 'The wildlife of the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary is of immense biological, cultural and economic importance. In addition to the wealth of marine life that is present all year round, this time of the year is crucial for many migratory species.
'Chemical pollution resulting from incidents of this kind can directly impact birds, and it can also have long-lasting effects on the marine food webs that support them.'
Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, said: 'Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors. The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes.
'This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 11:44 , Jabed Ahmed
The Solong was transporting 'an unknown quantity of alcohol and 15 containers of sodium cyanide', according to Lloyd's List.
It remains unclear whether the cyanide has entered the water.
Sodium cyanide can release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas, which disrupts the body's ability to use oxygen, according to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) also notes that sodium cyanide can convert into hydrogen cyanide upon contact with water.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 11:28 , Jabed Ahmed
The cause of the collision remains unclear.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the nearby Port of Grimsby East, told CNN: 'It seems a mystery, really, because all the vessels now have very highly sophisticated technical equipment to plot courses and to look at any obstacles or anything they've got to avoid.
'It's difficult to actually suggest what went on, other than the fact it should never have happened,' he added.
Mr Boyers said the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) would likely investigate the incident.
'How did that vessel continue plowing into the berth vessel? There must have been some warning signs. They must have been able to detect it on the radar,' Mr Boyers said.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 11:21 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 11:14 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 10:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Tammy Smalley, head of conservation at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, warned that the North Lincolnshire coast is at risk following the collision, including key nature reserves.
Ms Smalley said: 'The north Lincolnshire coast is at risk which includes our special – and vast – nature reserves, Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes. The area is home to internationally important populations of seabirds and seals, and fragile habitats including saltmarsh, mudflats and seagrass meadows.
'Depending on wind direction and contaminants, we are also concerned about the Silver Pit Marine Conservation Zone farther offshore – a unique habitat for fish where seabirds and cetaceans feed. Much of the Lincolnshire coast offshore is within marine protected areas for habitat features such as sub-tidal sand dunes.
'Although the grey seals at Donna Nook are not currently pupping, the seals including juveniles are still in the area. They haul out on sand banks offshore and feed in the wider North Sea area.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 10:44 , Jabed Ahmed
Hugo 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.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 10:30 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 10:17 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj 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. '
Tuesday 11 March 2025 10:04 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj Narulla, a climate and environmental lawyer, explained: 'While we still do not know all the facts, it appears as though the Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate, which was at anchor.
'Despite this, the Stena Immaculate and its insurers are strictly liable under UK law for any oil pollution coming from its cargo.
'Similarly, both the Solong and Stena Immaculate and their insurers would be liable for any pollution coming from bunker oil released from the vessels.
'If investigations show that the Solong is responsible for the collision, we may see the Stena Immaculate pursuing legal action against the Solong's owners and their insurers.
'This is likely to be in UK courts, but could also occur in the US or Portugal as the flag States for each vessel.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 09:51 , Jabed Ahmed
Harj Narulla, a climate and environmental lawyer, has said the legal position is 'far from certain' regarding the collision.
'Both international and domestic laws will apply to the emergency response, clean-up operations and resolving who pays for this accident,' he said.
'This is likely to be litigated in the UK because the accident occurred in British territorial waters, although compensation claims may end up being brought in the US and Portugal, as the flag States for the vessels.
'The owners and insurers of both vessels are likely to be liable for the pollution caused. This will include the oil carried as cargo and any heavy fuel oil that leaks from the vessels.'
The UK is a signatory to a number of relevant international treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, he explained.
Mr Narulla said domestically, the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 will likely apply to determine who is liable to pay for this accident.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 09:39 , Jabed Ahmed
Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said it is not known what is in the cargo of the ship which was involved in a collision with a tanker in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast, but if it were to be sodium cyanide, 'that would be very worrying'.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that a Government minister said it is 'undetermined', adding: 'Actually, they don't know what is in the cargo for Solong. And if it were to be the sodium cyanide, that would be very worrying. So we are waiting for kind of continuous updates on that.
'The Marine Accident Investigation Branch are now on site and giving direct reports back to the minister, and there is the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), they are doing an evaluation of the contamination risk and working with the owners of both of the vessels to plan a salvage operation.'
Tuesday 11 March 2025 09:18 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 09:12 , Jabed Ahmed
An American sailor from the Stena Immaculate has recounted his dramatic escape from the oil tanker.
Speaking to CBS News, the sailor, who remained anonymous as crew members are currently restricted from speaking to the media, said he was close to the point of impact when the collision occurred.
Suddenly, 'a massive ship came from out of the blue,' he recalled, explaining that he had only seconds to react.
He described hearing urgent shouts to brace before the crash. He also noted that the Solong didn't stop immediately, instead ploughing into their ship for what felt like 10 minutes.
According to other crew members, it appeared that no one was on the bridge of the Solong at the time of the collision, he added.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 08:59 , Jabed Ahmed
Listen: Coastguard emergency call after oil tanker and cargo ship crash in North Sea
Tuesday 11 March 2025 08:24 , Jabed Ahmed
Tuesday 11 March 2025 08:11 , Jabed Ahmed
The HM Coastguard's Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Team addresses maritime pollution incidents. This ranges from oil spills to debris such as plastics and timber.
Responsibility for responding to maritime pollution within the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone, extending up to 200 nautical miles from land, primarily falls to HM Coastguard.
However, Local port or harbour authorities handle incidents within their jurisdictions, often deploying their counter-pollution equipment, the coastguard's website says.
Environmental regulators like the Environment Agency or local councils may take charge of pollution originating from land.
If the pollution exceeds the responsible party's capacity to manage, the CPS Team ensures an adequate response to protect public health and the environment. They collaborate with specialist agencies, including nature conservation bodies and fishery regulators, to assess potential impacts and guide the response strategy.
For large-scale incidents, they utilise dedicated pollution response equipment and contractors, with stockpiles strategically located across the UK to ensure rapid deployment within 15 hours.
Tuesday 11 March 2025 08:09 , Jabed Ahmed
Major environmental damage risk after North Sea oil tanker collision, warn Greenpeace