The captain of the Solong cargo ship, that collided with oil tanker Stena Immaculate on 10 March, has been arrested.
The captain of the Solong which collided with oil tanker Stena Immaculate has been arrested, according to the vessel’s owner. Humberside Police confirmed that a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the North Sea collision.
Additionally, Humberside Police have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, working alongside the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
In the aftermath of the incident, one crew member of the cargo ship is now presumed deceased as 13 of the 14 crew members were rescued.
Furthermore, Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig noted that salvage operations are underway for both vessels, though flames are still visible on the Solong. While there had been concerns that the cargo ship might sink, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reassured that both vessels are expected to remain afloat.
The damaged MV Solong #cargo ship and the MV Stena Immaculate #tanker seen after their #collision yesterday in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast, United Kingdom. Thirty-six people were reportedly brought ashore, and one crew member of the Solong remains missing.: @dkitwood pic.twitter.com/vJQjkLHipZ
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) March 11, 2025
Peter Sand, Chief Analyst, Xeneta stated that billions of dollars worth of containerized cargo is moved across highly complex ocean supply chains daily, and the rarity of incidents like this suggests that maritime transport generally maintains high safety levels. However, when failures do occur, the consequences are severe for the crew, vessel, cargo, and environment.
It is vitally important that the industry works together to learn lessons from this incident once the cause is fully investigated and understood.
…said Sand.
Environmental impact concerns
The head of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call an emergency COBRA meeting in response to the North Sea crash, which he described as having the “potential to be an environmental disaster.” Ross emphasized the need for a rapid assessment of the affected area and the pollution levels from the incident.
Mike Ross has also called for assurances that local communities, coastlines, and wildlife would be protected, stressing the importance of swift government action.
Moreover, according to SkyNews, experts have expressed their concerns over the health and environmental impacts the disaster could have.
Dr. Jennifer Allan, an expert in global environmental politics at Cardiff University, said: “It’s a disaster in every sense of the word. The health and environmental effects will be short and long term, local and regional.”
Dr. Alan continued by pointing out that the jet fuel from the crash poses a serious threat to local wildlife, beaches, and the livelihoods dependent on them. In the long term, it could move up the food chain, affecting fish, birds, and even humans.
A rapid response is crucial, and there are also long-term concerns about who will be held responsible for the cleanup operations and the potential lasting health and environmental impacts.
