Voices are growing urging authorities to act swiftly to avoid an ecological disaster. The incident occurred on Monday morning when the Stena Immaculate, a US-flagged oil tanker, collided with the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong. The collision caused a fire aboard the tanker, which was carrying jet fuel, leading to a fuel spill into the sea.

The entire crew of the Stena Immaculate, over 20 people, was safely rescued, and so far, 32 people have been brought ashore. Their health status remains unknown. Local MP Graham Stuart spoke with the Minister for Transport and stated that only one person has been hospitalized. “The remaining 36 crew members from both vessels are safe and accounted for,” he noted.

The tanker was transporting jet fuel

The American logistics company Crowley, which manages and co-owns the MV Stena Immaculate, confirmed that the ship was carrying jet fuel when it was struck by the Solong in the North Sea around 10:00 GMT.

In a statement, the Florida-based company said: “The ship is not secure: A fire resulted from the collision, and reports indicate that fuel has been released. The crew of the Stena Immaculate abandoned the ship after multiple explosions onboard. All Crowley sailors are safe and fully accounted for.”

According to the BBC, the fuel belonged to the US government, which aligns with the fact that the ship was part of a US government program designed to supply fuel to military forces during times of conflict or national emergency. The US Air Force has several bases in the UK.

Ongoing Operations

Helicopters, rescue boats from the Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Cleethorpes ports, and ships with firefighting capabilities have been deployed in the area. So far, 32 people have been brought to shore, with one being hospitalized, while the others are safe.

Crowley confirmed that the crew abandoned the ship after multiple explosions and that all sailors are safe. The company is cooperating with authorities to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the vessel, prioritizing both human and environmental protection.

UK authorities are conducting an assessment of the potential marine pollution risk due to the fuel spill. Experts warn that the investigation into the cause of the collision may take several weeks or even months.

The situation remains critical, with rescue and pollution containment efforts ongoing, and authorities are urging ships in the area to remain at a safe distance and offer assistance if they have the necessary equipment.

Greenpeace: Too Early to Know the Environmental Impact of the Fuel Spill

Greenpeace UK has stated that it is “too early” to determine the extent of any environmental damage caused by the incident, but “the high speed of the collision and the footage of the aftermath are causing great concern.”

A spokesperson noted that the potential impact depends on various factors, such as the type of oil released and how much of it has entered the water.

“Marine and weather conditions will also be critical in determining the behavior of any spill,” the spokesperson said.

“In the case of an oil spill or any loss of hazardous cargo from the involved container ship, the speed of the response will also be decisive in limiting any impact.”