An oil tanker which burst into flames after being struck by a cargo ship was ‘essential for US national security’ and had been loaded with 142,000 barrels of crude oil, it has emerged today.
Dozens of people have been rescued after the MV Stena Immaculate exploded into a ‘massive fireball’ off the Yorkshire coast today, leaking some 18,000 tonnes of jet fuel into the North Sea.
The crash has prompted fears the oil leak could trigger a major environmental catastrophe, with campaigners warning it was ‘too early to tell’ just how severe the disaster could be.
US-flagged tanker Immaculate was at anchor when it was hit by the 7,852-tonne Portuguese container ship MV Solong in the Humber Estuary near Hull this morning. Solong had been cruising at about 16 knots moments before the smash.
The crunching impact ruptured the Immaculate’s cargo tank, causing ‘multiple explosions’ and vast quantities jet fuel to spill into the water – before the oil ignited, sparking a raging inferno that enveloped both ships.
The 600ft vessel is designated critical to US security in the Department of Transportations Tanker Security Programme (TSP) and supplies the US Department of Defense.
A major rescue operation was launched following the disaster, involving more than a dozen vessels, helicopters and specialist firefighting ships.
The devastating collision led to sailors on both vessels abandoning ship, with dozens later plucked from the water, with at least one being transported to hospital. It’s understood all 36 personnel across both vessels have since been accounted for.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with a senior US officials from the White House telling maritime website gCaptain that foul play had not been ruled out.
Dramatic images appear to show one of the two vessels turned into a blazing inferno following the crash
The scene of the disaster, about 10 miles of the East Yorkshire coast, was completely engulfed by flames
A rescue ship was pictured at the scene appeared to blast the smouldering vessels with water
Horrifying footage showed huge plumes of thick black smoke rising from the scene of the smash, as a large inferno raged out of control 10 miles off the East Yorkshire coast.
Both ships caught ablaze. Fires also raged on the water, making it hazardous for rescuers to approach.
Coastguards issued an urgent call for ships to join the search and rescue effort, shortly after the collision was reported.
Immaculate’s owner Crowley Maritime has confirmed the giant tanker was carrying A-1 kerosene-type jet fuel at the time of the collision.
The Stena Immaculate had come from a refinery in Corinth, Greece, and is not believed to have offloaded its oil before the collision.
The ship was laden with about 18,000 tonnes of jet fuel – about 142,000 barrels – when it left the Greek port, according to data from Kpler.
The news has raised the possibility of a major environmental disaster off the east coast, the impact of which could be felt across the North Sea and the UK.
Greenpeace UK said it was ‘too early’ to know the extent of any environmental damage. A spokesman added: ‘We are monitoring reports of a cargo vessel crashing into an oil tanker off the coast of Yorkshire very closely.
Footage appears to show both vessels ablaze off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull, after a US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by a Portugal-flagged container ship
US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by the Portugal-flagged container ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull, this morning.
‘Both the high speed of the collision and the footage of the aftermath are cause for great concern.
‘Right now, our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident and the emergency services responding to the situation.
‘At this stage, it’s too early to assess the extent of any environmental damage. But the magnitude of any impact will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and type of oil carried by the tanker, the fuel carried by both ships, and how much of that, if any, has entered the water.
‘Sea and weather conditions will also be important in determining how any spill behaves.
‘In the case of an oil spill or any loss of hazardous cargo from the container ship involved, the speed of the response will also be crucial in limiting any impact.’
The disaster took place shortly before 9.50am on Monday morning
Lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes, have been scrambled, as well as a number of firefighters.
Civilian boats have also answered the call for aid, with ship tracking site Marinetraffic showing a number of craft around the stricken vessels.
Flaming debris and plumes of thick smoke could be seen from miles away
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat. A further nine were brought in by a harbour pilot vessel, he added.
Mr Boyers said he had been told there was ‘a massive fireball’, adding: ‘It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have seen the vessels bringing them in.
‘They must have sent a mayday out – luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.
‘Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.’
Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, said he understood that only one person was in hospital following the collision.
The Tory MP said: ‘Like many people across Beverley and Holderness and beyond, I’ve been watching the images from off the coast of Withernsea with a great deal of concern.
‘I’ve now spoken with the Transport Secretary and I understand that only one person is in hospital.
‘The other 36 mariners across both crews are safe and accounted for.
‘While we will be thankful that everyone has been brought ashore, I continue to be concerned about the potential ecological impact.
‘That’s why I’m calling for a unified command structure, to bring together government, police, Coastguard, the Environment Agency, local authorities and your MPs together.’
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has sent investigators to Grimsby following the crash.
A MAIB spokesperson said: ‘The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to Grimsby following the collision of the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong and the US-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate which collided in the North Sea this morning.
Smoke can be seen billowing from the sea as oil carried on the carrier caught fire
‘Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.’
Reuters reported the American tanker was at least partially loaded with cargo.
Fuel is understood to be leaking out across the estuary, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.
Locals have been warned to seal their windows as the huge plumes of thick black smoke billow into the sky.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘I’m concerned to hear of the collision between two vessels in the North Sea this morning and am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops.
‘I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident.’
Speaking in Parliament, environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock added she was ‘extremely shocked and concerned’ about the North Sea collision.
Describing it as an ’emerging picture’, she added: ‘We are speaking very closely in Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) to the Department for Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who are leading the Government response on this and who are at the moment assessing the situation.’
Lady Hayman said the Environment Agency was also engaging on any clean-up needed.
Stena Immaculate is a US-flagged ship was reportedly carrying jet fuel when it collided with another vessel
The incident unfolded at just before 9.50am on Monday – with the closest village to the scene being Withernsea.
Specialist vessels with firefighting hoses were sent to the been sent to the scene to try and quell the inferno.
It’s understood the Portuguese cargo ship collided with the tanker, which was anchored off the Humber Estuary.
Speaking to Sky News, maritime expert David McFarlane claimed the moving vessel was most likely to blame for the disaster.
He said: ‘Reading between the lines in this case, if that tanker was remaining at anchor, as it’s been reported, then obviously she’s got a very limited liability.
‘There’s not a lot you can do apart from picking up the anchor, which can take almost up to an hour to do, by which time… the apparent collision is probably well and truly past.’
However, he stressed it was too early to determine a cause for the incident – with officials set to probe the disaster at a later date.
David McFarlane, of Maritime Risk and Safety Consultants, told Sky News that in cases where vessels end up in court for arbitration after a collision, it is very rare for the accident to be attributed entirely to only one vessel.
But he said if the US tanker was remaining at anchor as has been reported, obviously she would have limited liability. The only action the MV Stena Immaculate could have taken would be to raise the anchor – a process that can take an hour, far too slow to avert any collision.
‘You don’t expect to get hit while you’re at anchor,’ retired Real Admiral Christopher Parry, 71, said, speaking on Sky News. ‘Every single law at sea says you must keep a competent lookout at all times.’
In a recording reportedly of the coastguard’s alert to the disaster, sailors were warned: ‘Solong has collided with tanker Stena Immaculate in the outer anchorage. Both vessels are abandoning.
‘Vessels who have firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue [should] contact Humber coastguard on Channel 16.
‘Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying jet A-1 fuel which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.’
It’s believed Stena Immaculate had travelled from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, and was anchored outside Hull.
Another image appears to capture the aftermath of the devastating maritime smash
The 461ft Solong, meanwhile, had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
The ship displaces 7,852 ton and is thought to have been carrying commercial goods. It was built in 2005 and is crewed by around 20 people.
The 600ft Stena Immaculate, built in 2017, is far larger, weighing in at 29,854 tons. It has a crew of between 20 and 25 people.
Stena Bulk jointly own the ship with their US partner Crowley, who operate it.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire.
‘The alarm was raised at 9.48am.
‘A Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.
‘The incident remains ongoing.’
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘Six fire engines and one aerial vehicle are currently in attendance at this industrial fire involving an oil tanker.
‘Firefighters were called at 8.34am this morning and are continuing to tackle the fire.
‘Those living or workng nearby should continue to keep windows and doors closed.’
The Port of Grimsby East, part of the larger Humber Ports complex, serves as a major hub for automotive imports, offshore wind farm servicing, and general cargo handling, including timber, minerals, metals, and dry bulks – connecting the UK to Europe and beyond.
According to Associated British Ports, in 2021 alone there were in excess of 34,000 ship movements on the Humber estuary, overseen by ABP’s Vessel Tracking Service.
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