UK authorities are expressing grave concerns over potential environmental harm following the collision of a cargo ship and a tanker carrying jet fuel intended for the US military near eastern England. The incident occurred when the Portugal-registered container ship Solong struck the US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate, leading to significant explosions and a fire that burned for over 24 hours.
Video footage taken from a helicopter on Tuesday indicated that while the fire on the tanker had largely subsided, it was left with a substantial gash on its port side. The UK coast guard confirmed that the Solong remained ablaze but drifting south, away from the tanker, prompting the establishment of a one-kilometre exclusion zone around both vessels. An investigation into the cause of the collision is underway, although there are no indications of foul play.
Government minister Matthew Pennycook noted that the situation was continuously evolving, but air quality readings appeared normal. The coast guard is well-equipped to manage potential oil spills, with containment booms and dispersants deployed as necessary. In the aftermath of the collision, a major rescue operation was launched, resulting in the successful retrieval of 36 crew members from the two vessels. Sadly, one crew member remains missing, prompting a search that was ultimately suspended.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has begun to investigate what led to the Solong hitting the anchored tanker, which was located approximately 16 kilometres off the coast. The inquiry will involve the US and Portugal, the countries where the vessels are registered.
The MV Stena Immaculate, part of the US Tanker Security Program, was transporting 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel across 16 tanks, with at least one tank rupturing during the incident. The operator, Crowley Maritime, stated that the extent of the fuel leak into the North Sea is currently unknown, raising alarm for environmentalists and local organisations like Greenpeace UK, which cautioned that it was too soon to quantify the environmental impact.
The area surrounding the incident is crucial for both fishing and seabird colonies, heightening concerns about the impact on marine life, including dolphins, whales, and various seabird species. Experts from the University of Sheffield and the University of Reading have underscored the ecological significance of the region, noting that the consequences of such spills could be dire, especially if the fuel involved is of a persistent nature, which breaks down slowly in marine environments.
Tom Webb, a marine ecology lecturer, emphasised the biological, cultural, and economic value of the area, which is vital for numerous migratory species during this season. The broader implications of this environmental crisis remain to be seen, and ongoing efforts will be crucial in mitigating damage to the marine ecosystem.