Update: Cargo ship owner says it was not carrying sodium cyanide at time of North Sea collision

THE OWNER of the cargo ship that crashed into a US-flag tanker in the North Sea on Monday has said it was not carrying sodium cyanide, as previously reported.

The shipping analysis site Lloyd’s List had initially reported on Monday that the Solong was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide and an “unknown quantity of alcohol”.

However, Ernst Russ, owner of the Solong, said yesterday in a statement: “There are four empty containers that have previously contained [sodium cyanide]”. It has not been confirmed what was in the other 11 containers on board, or whether any of the containers were damaged during the collision with Stena Immaculate.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said yesterday that it had “previously identified dangerous goods on board”. The agency could not confirm whether this referred to the jet fuel that leaked from the Stena Immaculate, or to the cargo on the Solong, which was sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The MCA’s chief coastguard John Craig said: “Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.

“We continue to engage actively with Humberside Police, salvors, the port authorities and other agencies to protect the public and the environment as far as possible to respond to the developing situation.”

A Russian national was arrested yesterday in connection with the collision.

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Update 11/03/2025: US tanker operator confirms jet fuel released into the North Sea following major collision

THE CARGO ship which collided with an anchored oil tanker in the North Sea off the coast of Hull, UK yesterday was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide.

Both ships remained ablaze overnight although it has not been confirmed whether the sodium cyanide containers were breached.

Ernst Russ, the Hamburg-based owner of the Solong cargo ship, said: “Ernst Russ immediately activated an emergency response team, and the company remains in contact with them, the master of Solong and all relevant marine authorities at Humberside.

“The first priority is the safety of the crews, all responders, and the environment.”

One of the 14 crew members onboard the Solong remains unaccounted for. Late last night, HM Coastguard confirmed it had halted its efforts after an “extensive search”.

Sodium cyanide is a hazardous chemical that can cause respiratory irritation. It can also form the far more toxic gas hydrogen cyanide if it mixes with water, which can cause long-term neurological damage, unconsciousness, and even death.

The Stena Immaculate ship, managed by shipping company Crowley, was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for the US military. Crowley has confirmed that at least one of the 16 fuel tanks was ruptured and that fuel was released, although the exact volume of spilled fuel remains unknown.

Cal Hayden, Crowley’s vice-president, said in a statement last night: “As with all operations, Crowley’s priority is to protect the safety of mariners, and the environment. We greatly appreciate the quick actions and support of the UK authorities, rescue workers and others to today’s incident and remain committed to working with them on the continued response efforts.”

The UK transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said in a statement on X yesterday that she was “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.”

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10/03/2025: US tanker operator confirms jet fuel released into the North Sea following major collision

THE US-based operator of an oil tanker which caught fire following a collision with a container ship has confirmed that it was carrying jet fuel which is now leaking into the North Sea. 

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is currently investigating the cause of the incident. HM Coastguard confirmed it is assessing the “likely counter-pollution response required”.

The Stena Immaculate oil tanker, operated by US-based shipping company Crowley, was anchored off the east coast of England near Hull when a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship collided with it. The cargo ship’s operator has not yet commented on the incident.

Mark Orr, executive director of UK & Ireland Spill Association, told TCE that several factors have already mitigated long-term environmental damage. “Fortunately, the tanker was anchored, so they will not be drifting,” he said.

He added: “The wind is quite strong, so the smoke is dispersing.”

Orr also said that the fact that the vessel is on fire means that most of the oil that is currently leaking from the tanker will burn off. This will “leave a horrible smoke residue” and is highly damaging to the immediate environment but should avoid longer-term pollution.

Orr said that ongoing risks include other sections of both vessels which “could be overcome by the heat and ignite”.

It is still not known what cargo the container ship was carrying.