Solong arrives in Scotland, Stena Immaculate salvage continues

Salvage operations continue on two ships involved in an explosive collision in the UK’s North Sea. 

In early March, Stena Immaculate was speared by Portugal-flagged container feeder vessel Solong while at anchor in the North Sea off the coast of the UK region of Yorkshire and The Humber. 

The incident, which is believed to have claimed the life of one of Solong’s crew, happened under foggy sea conditions, as a video of the collision shows.

The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has coordinated a multi-agency response including the HM Coastguard and other local and national agencies.

An update from the HM Coastguard on the progress of salvaging the two vessels said that the container feeder ship Solong had reached safe harbour in Scotland after a three-day towing operation.

Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “Solong is now safely berthed at the Port of Aberdeen where further salvage operations will be undertaken. Salvage of Stena Immaculate continues to be progressed. This includes the transfer of its cargo to another vessel that may begin as early as this weekend."

According to the Coastguard chief, future decisions in respect to Solong’s salvage "are now a commercial matter, accordingly this will be the final MCA update in relation to this vessel". 

25 March

An HM Coastguard update on the salvage work on the two maritime casualties said that Solong would soon be towed to a berth in Scotland, where it had departed from before striking the anchored Stena Immaculate, reportedly at 16 knots, on its route to the Netherlands port of Rotterdam.

HM Coastguard Chief Paddy O’Callaghan said “Salvage of Solong has progressed to enable its relocation to the Port of Aberdeen for safe berthing. Solong will be under tow by one tug and accompanied by another tug, plus a vessel with counter pollution measures should they be required. Tug and tow are scheduled to arrive at Aberdeen later this week."

Stena Immaculate remains in a stable condition with salvage ongoing, according to the Coastguard update.