Ship Owner Files Legal Action Over North Sea Collision That Spilled Jet Fuel and Sparked Fire
Legal fallout continues over the devastating maritime collision in the North Sea, as the owners of the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel Solong file a claim against the Stena Immaculate tanker owners in London’s Admiralty Court.
The 10 March incident, which unfolded 16 miles off East Yorkshire, resulted in a fierce fire, the presumed death of a crew member, and the spillage of over 17,500 barrels of aviation fuel into the sea.
Legal Battle Escalates
Court records show the owners and demise charterers of the Solong initiated legal proceedings Thursday against the owners and demise charterers of the US-registered Stena Immaculate. The move follows a prior claim filed by Stena Bulk and Crowley, the co-owners of the tanker, against Solong’s owner Ernst Russ earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Ernst Russ confirmed:
“This is usual process for large maritime casualties… another step in working toward the conclusion of this tragic incident.”
The company also said it is cooperating with ongoing investigations and has created a fund to cover future verified claims.
Catastrophic Collision at Anchor
At the time of the crash, the Stena Immaculate was anchored and carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel. The Solong, which subsequently caught fire, continued to burn for days and was only brought into Aberdeen a week later.
The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released an interim report this week, revealing both ships lacked dedicated lookouts in what it described as “patchy visibility conditions.” The absence of proper watchkeeping played a role in the collision and its severity.
While Crowley, the Stena tanker’s operator, insists their vessel complied with all maritime safety standards, the full investigation is still underway.
Criminal Charges and Human Tragedy
One crew member aboard the Solong, Mark Pernia, remains missing and presumed dead, believed to have been in the forward section of the ship at the time of the crash.
The Solong’s captain, Vladimir Motin (59) from Russia, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and is expected to stand trial next year in the UK.
Environmental and Commercial Aftermath
The collision caused a significant environmental incident, with jet fuel and debris including plastic waste spilling into the sea. Cleanup operations are ongoing, and recovery efforts include removing remaining fuel from the damaged Stena Immaculate.
With legal claims mounting and investigations intensifying, the shipping and maritime insurance industries are watching closely as this high-profile case unfolds.
