Container ship collides with US tanker off coast of UK
A tanker ship anchored off the coast of the United Kingdom in the North Sea was struck by a container ship on Monday morning, sparking a fire and causing concern about water pollution.
Crowley, the U.S.-based company that manages the tanker, which is called the Stena Immaculate, said the ship was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military and was anchored while awaiting commands for a standard fuel delivery at the Port of Killingholme.
The Stena Immaculate was hit on its port side by a container ship called the Solong, Crowley said.
At least one person is unaccounted for from the Solong, as of Tuesday, according to His Majesty’s Coastguard.
Crowley said all 23 crew members aboard the Stena Immaculate were uninjured after abandoning the ship due to explosions on the vessel.
The collision caused at least one cargo tank carrying Jet A-1 fuel to rupture.
Fuel from the tank was reportedly released, and both the Stena Immaculate and the Solong caught fire.
It’s unknown exactly how much fuel was released into the North Sea after the collision.
The Stena Immaculuate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 cargo tanks at the time of the collision, Crowley said.
HM Coastguard said the Solong separated from the Stena Immaculate late Monday evening, and began drifting south.
The agency said the fire on the Stena had greatly diminished by Tuesday afternoon, but the Solong was still alight.
Safety vessels and other boats with firefighting capabilities were still on the scene Tuesday.
“A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels,” said HM Coastguard Assistant Chief John Craig.
An investigation into the collision is still ongoing.
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