Cargo Ship Hits U.S. Military Tanker, Igniting Fires and Spilling Jet Fuel into North Sea

A cargo ship collided with the U.S.-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military, off northeastern England on March 10, 2025, at approximately 9:48 am. The collision caused fires and multiple explosions on both vessels, forcing their crews to abandon ship. All 37 crew members were rescued, though one was hospitalized, and one crew member from the cargo ship remains missing. The tanker, part of the U.S. Tanker Security Program, was carrying 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel, some of which spilled into the North Sea following the rupture of a cargo tank. The UK Coast Guard established a 1-kilometer exclusion zone around the vessels and deployed firefighting and environmental monitoring teams. Environmental experts have noted potential risks to marine ecosystems, including seabirds and marine life, though the lighter nature of jet fuel may limit long-term damage. The cargo ship, Solong, flagged under Portugal, was reportedly carrying empty containers that had previously held sodium cyanide, raising initial concerns about hazardous material spills. However, the ship's owner confirmed no sodium cyanide was present. Both vessels sustained significant damage, with the Solong breaking free and drifting south. The UK government has ruled out foul play, and investigations led by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are ongoing. The Solong was en route from Scotland to Rotterdam, while the Stena Immaculate was anchored near Hull at the time of the collision.