New Footage Reveals How Containership Crashed Into Tanker In Dense Fog

Screengrab from YouTube video posted by Guardian News
A newly released video shows the critical moments that led to the container ship crashing into the tanker in the Eastern coastline of Yorkshire, England, on March 10, 2025.

The footage, captured by Orca AI’s advanced SeaPod surveillance system, shows the containership SOLANG crashing into the anchored oil tanker STENA IMMACULATE near Hull, triggering a massive fire.

The collision involved the SOLONG, a Portuguese-flagged vessel, striking the US-flagged STENA IMMACULATE, which was waiting to berth at the Port of Killingholme.

The tanker was carrying 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel when the impact occurred, causing an explosion and a large fire.

The footage consists of two separate recordings. The first, captured by day cameras, shows dense fog that severely limited visibility at the time of the incident.

The second, recorded using thermal imaging, shows the SOLONG approaching the stationary tanker before crashing into it, followed by a fiery explosion.

Video Credits: Guardian News/YouTube

According to Yarden Gross, CEO of Orca AI, the footage clearly shows the difficult conditions during the crash. AIS tracking data shows that the SOLONG was moving at approximately 16 knots and did not attempt to change course or slow down before striking the tanker.

The force of the impact temporarily interlocked both vessels before the SOLONG drifted southward. Authorities quickly established a 1-kilometer exclusion zone around the site as emergency responders worked to contain the situation.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported that both ships have been stabilised, with fires largely extinguished as of Wednesday (12 March) morning. The STENA IMMACULATE remains anchored with no visible flames, while the SOLONG is being held offshore by tugboats.

One crew member from the SOLONG remains missing, and search efforts were called off on March 11, 2025, evening after authorities determined survival was unlikely.

The remaining 36 crew members from the SOLONG were successfully rescued, while all 23 crew members of the STENA IMMACULATE are safe.

Humberside Police have launched an investigation into the incident and arrested the 59-year-old Russian captain of the German-owned SOLONG on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Authorities confirmed that the captain remains in custody as inquiries continue.

The UK’s Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is overseeing coordination efforts with vessel owners, salvage teams and insurers.

Reference: AP News

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