On Monday morning (10/3/2025) the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NEIFCA) was made aware that the Portuguese flagged container ship SOLONG had collided with the United States flagged chemical tanker STENA IMMACULATE approximately twelve nautical miles off Withernsea along the East Yorkshire Coastline. Shortly after the collision, both vessels‘ crews abandoned ship and 36 persons were rescued by HM Coastguard and crew transfer vessels from a nearby windfarm. Unfortunately, one crew member from the SOLONG remains unaccounted and is presumed dead. Our thoughts are with the next of kin at this time.
The SOLONG was carrying containers with a mixed cargo of alcohol and plastics. The vessel’s bunkers contain 30 metric tonnes (mt) of diesel and 176 mt of Ultra Low Sulphur Oil (ULSFO). The STENA IMMACULATE was carrying 32,000 mt of JET 1 aviation fuel and the bunkers contain 844 of Intermediate Fuel Oil and 360 mt of ULSFO and 40 mt of lube oil.
The speed of the response was rapid and the first phase focused on saving life, followed by fighting the fires on both vessels. The fire onboard the STENA IMMACULATE has been extinguished and on board the SOLONG, firefighting and boundary cooling have reduced the fire. On Tuesday morning, 11 March 2025, the SOLONG floated free from STENA IMMACULATE, drifting south, but towing vessels managed to successfully connect a tow line and the SOLONG is currently being held in a more secure position away from the shoreline, vessel traffic lanes and any subsea infrastructure. Both vessels currently remain afloat and stable. Damage assessments continue and salvors will conduct on-board assessments as soon as it is safe to do so. As of this morning, 11:30am on 12 March 2025, both vessels remain stable and there are no signs of pollution. A temporary exclusion zone of 1km has been set up around both vessels and any entry is prohibited.
NEIFCA has maintained close and direct contact with all the key agencies and ready to assist when required. The Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is leading on the environmental impact assessment and monitoring program and working closely with the NEIFCA and Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (EIFCA).
NEIFCA will provide further updates as and when we receive them. For any questions or concerns please contact us by email ne-ifca@eastriding.gov.uk.
