The Solong's arrival marks a significant step in recovery efforts following a tragic maritime incident.
Topics covered
The Solong, a container ship severely damaged in a collision with a US oil tanker, has successfully reached the Port of Aberdeen this morning. This arrival follows days of intense salvage operations aimed at ensuring the vessel’s safe berthing after it was towed from the East Yorkshire coast.
Details of the collision and salvage efforts
On March 10, the Portuguese-flagged Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate, resulting in a catastrophic explosion and subsequent fires that lasted for over a week. The incident led to extensive damage to the ship and raised significant environmental concerns due to the release of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, into the sea.
Salvage teams worked tirelessly to contain the situation, employing counter-pollution measures to mitigate further environmental impact during the vessel’s journey to Aberdeen.
Casualties and legal repercussions
Tragically, the collision resulted in the loss of one sailor, 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, who remains missing and is presumed dead. Rescuers managed to save 36 crew members from both the Solong and the Stena Immaculate, highlighting the bravery and efficiency of the emergency response teams involved. Meanwhile, the captain of the Solong, 59-year-old Vladimir Motin from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been arrested and charged with gross negligence manslaughter. He appeared via video link from prison at the Old Bailey last week and is set to face trial in January 2026.
Next steps for the Solong and environmental concerns
As the Solong arrives in Aberdeen, marine assessors and insurers will conduct a thorough evaluation of the ship’s damage, which includes assessing the loss of cargo and addressing environmental concerns stemming from the incident. The fire that engulfed the vessel has already resulted in nurdles washing up along the coastline, prompting further scrutiny of the environmental impact. The owners of the Solong, Ernst Russ AG, expressed gratitude for the swift response from rescue teams, emphasizing the importance of their efforts in managing the crisis.
Despite the incident, port operations at Aberdeen remain unaffected and will continue as normal. A spokesperson for the Port of Aberdeen confirmed that the Solong has been designated as a port of safe refuge, and preparations for the next stage of salvage operations are underway.
