The container ship Solong will be towed into port after the fire is extinguished
On March 10, the container ship Solong collided with the oil tanker Stena Immaculate, and more than two weeks after the devastating incident, the Royal Coastguard reported that preparations were being made to tow the container ship to port. The operation is expected to take place later this week.
After hitting the tanker and sparking fires on both ships, the Solong was abandoned and its crew brought ashore by an offshore service vessel working at a wind farm in the area. One crew member, a resident of the Philippines, is missing, with reports that he was working near the bow of the ship when it struck the tanker. A search led by the Royal Coastguard failed to locate the missing sailors.
Chief Coastguard Captain Paddy O'Callaghan said progress had been made in the recovery of the Solong and it could be moved to a safe berth in Aberdeen Harbour.
According to the plan, the Solong will be towed by a salvage tug and accompanied by another tug. In addition, a ship equipped with anti-pollution measures will also be towed. The Royal Coastguard said anti-pollution measures would be provided if required during the towing process.
The condition of the tanker "Stena Immaculate" has not changed and remains at anchorage. U.S. ship operator Crowley reported that salvage teams determined that only one tank containing jet fuel ruptured and caused the fire. The remaining jet fuel on the tanker is stable. Boscalis' SMIT team is working on the salvage, details of which have not been released.
The crews of the two ships were repatriated to the United States and the Philippines, respectively. However, the captain of the Solong has been arrested on suspicion of gross manslaughter and is still being held in a British prison. At the initial court hearing, he was told he was standing guard on the bridge of the container ship when it hit the tanker. His next hearing is scheduled for April 14, and the judge has tentatively set a trial date of January 12, 2026.
After hitting the tanker and sparking fires on both ships, the Solong was abandoned and its crew brought ashore by an offshore service vessel working at a wind farm in the area. One crew member, a resident of the Philippines, is missing, with reports that he was working near the bow of the ship when it struck the tanker. A search led by the Royal Coastguard failed to locate the missing sailors.
Chief Coastguard Captain Paddy O'Callaghan said progress had been made in the recovery of the Solong and it could be moved to a safe berth in Aberdeen Harbour.
According to the plan, the Solong will be towed by a salvage tug and accompanied by another tug. In addition, a ship equipped with anti-pollution measures will also be towed. The Royal Coastguard said anti-pollution measures would be provided if required during the towing process.
The condition of the tanker "Stena Immaculate" has not changed and remains at anchorage. U.S. ship operator Crowley reported that salvage teams determined that only one tank containing jet fuel ruptured and caused the fire. The remaining jet fuel on the tanker is stable. Boscalis' SMIT team is working on the salvage, details of which have not been released.
The crews of the two ships were repatriated to the United States and the Philippines, respectively. However, the captain of the Solong has been arrested on suspicion of gross manslaughter and is still being held in a British prison. At the initial court hearing, he was told he was standing guard on the bridge of the container ship when it hit the tanker. His next hearing is scheduled for April 14, and the judge has tentatively set a trial date of January 12, 2026.
