Legal proceedings are underway between Ernst Russ, the proprietors of the Solong – a container ship hailing from Portugal – and Stena Bulk as well as Crowley, the holders of Stena Immaculate. This standoff stems from a mid-sea clash in the North Sea between both vessels.
The severe mid-sea collision culminated in a catastrophic inferno, ignited by the tanker’s onboard jet fuel, which has left one individual presumably deceased. In response to the accident, the Solong lodged a claim in the Admiralty Court, in London, following the established procedure for severe maritime incidents.
Additionally, Stena Immaculate’s investors have filed a separate lawsuit against Ernst Russ. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) noted the absence of a ‘dedicated lookout’ on both ships during the time of the mishap.
As a result of this incident, 36 persons were retrieved from the vessels. Tragically, one individual on board is currently unaccounted for. The captain of Solong, aged 59, is due for an upcoming trial set for January 2026 on the grounds of aggravated negligence manslaughter.
This article has been adapted from the original report by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, as reported by The Lincoln Post.
