LONDON — A severely damaged cargo ship that collided with a U.S. tanker earlier this month in the North Sea has safely made its way to the Scottish port of Aberdeen. This comes after a reclamation operation that stretched over a few days, following a nearly week-long fire incident.
The vessel, identified as the Solong and sailing under the Portuguese flag, was escorted by tugs to ensure a secure docking at Aberdeen. The ship is set to undergo damage evaluation after its incident on March 10 when it collided with the stationary tanker, the MV Stena Immaculate, in the North Sea. The Stena Immaculate was ferrying jet fuel for the U.S. military.
Paddy O’Callaghan, chief coastguard, reported on the Solong’s successful towing to Aberdeen, where it would be inspected for further safety measures. He stated that while efforts continue with the salvage of the Stena Immaculate, the vessel remains stable.
The Solong’s owning company, Ernt Russ, mentioned that expert marine assessors and insurers would thoroughly assess the ship’s extensive damages in the port.
Authorities are handling the case of the Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, tied to the Solong. Charged with gross negligence manslaughter, Motin is being held following the presumed death of a 38-year-old crew member, Mark Angelo Pernia, from the Philippines. The captain is expected to appear in court on April 14 at the Old Bailey in London.
The collision resulted in the safe rescue of 36 individuals from both vessels, while investigations into the collision’s origins remain active. Security risks related to national defense were not implicated, as clarified by U.K. authorities.
Despite initial concerns, the environmental impact was found to be minimal. Nevertheless, the accident spilled a significant number of plastic production pellets—referred to as nurdles—into the sea. These have begun washing up along England’s east coast. Although not toxic, conservationists warn these nurdles can pose risks if marine life ingests them.
Efforts are underway by local authorities to clean these pellets from affected beaches to mitigate any potential harm to the ecosystem.