A Russian national has been arrested in connection with a fatal maritime collision off the coast of England, the German company that owns the vessel confirmed.
The incident occurred on Monday when the cargo ship Solong collided with the US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the US military. The impact triggered explosions and a massive fire, leaving one crew member missing and presumed dead, while also spilling fuel into the sea, sparking environmental concerns.
On Tuesday, British authorities arrested the Solong’s captain, a 59-year-old Russian national, on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Hamburg-based shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the Solong, confirmed that while the captain is Russian, the rest of the crew consists of Russian and Filipino nationals.
Safety Failures Raise Concerns
Inspection records reveal that the Solong had previously failed critical safety tests related to its steering system.
A Port State Control (PSC) inspection conducted in July 2024 by Irish authorities in Dublin identified ten safety deficiencies. Among the most serious were issues with the ship’s emergency steering position, which was found to be unreadable, as well as inadequate alarm systems, improperly maintained survival craft, and non-compliant fire doors.
Further concerns were raised in October 2024, when Scottish authorities in Grangemouth conducted another PSC inspection. This inspection found two additional deficiencies, including improperly marked lifebuoys, which are critical for emergency rescues at sea.
Despite these findings, the Solong was not detained after either inspection, and it continued to operate until this week’s catastrophic crash.
Investigation and Environmental Impact
Authorities are now examining whether the vessel’s history of safety failings played a role in the collision. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency are leading the inquiry, while British police continue to hold the ship’s captain for questioning.
The fuel spill from the Stena Immaculate has also raised concerns about potential environmental damage, with response teams monitoring the area for signs of pollution.
This latest maritime disaster underscores the importance of rigorous safety enforcement in global shipping. As investigations unfold, questions remain over whether regulatory failures contributed to the tragedy and if stricter oversight could have prevented the fatal collision.
