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Crashed cargo ship Solong arrives in Aberdeen

Ken Banks
BBC Scotland, Aberdeen
Drone footage shows badly fire damaged cargo vessel in Aberdeen

A cargo ship involved in a crash with an oil tanker in the North Sea has been towed to Aberdeen.

The impact between the Solong and the US-registered tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea on 10 March, off East Yorkshire, caused an explosion and fires.

The Portuguese-flagged Solong is berthed at the Scottish port for damage assessment.

One crew member - a Filipino national - is missing and presumed dead. The ship's Russian captain has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

PA Media Close up view of the damaged ship hull, looking rusty and burnt out, with the shoreline and port wall close in the background.PA Media
The Portuguese-flagged ship will berth for damage assessment

Solong arrived in Aberdeen after a tug-assisted journey lasting several days.

The ship pulled into port at about 07:15 silhouetted against the sunrise. The full extent of the damage to the vessel could be seen from the shore.

Small pockets of fire had continued for days on Solong before being extinguished.

Burnt tiny plastic pellets, known as nurdles, have been washed up along the east coast of the UK in the aftermath of the collision.

Rescuers saved 36 crew off both ships involved in the crash.

PA Media a rusty cargo ship surrounded by four tugs on calm water in the morning lightPA Media
Solong arrived in Aberdeen after a tug-assisted journey
Distant view of the damaged ship hull, looking rusty and burnt out, with the port wall and a tug in the forground. And a lighthouse behind on the horizon.
The ship is now berthed in Aberdeen's South Harbour

Ernst Russ, the owners of the cargo vessel, said the Solong would be "fully assessed by specialist marine assessors and insurers".

"We are very aware of the efforts and assistance from all those acting in the response," a statement said.

"We want to thank everyone who has responded urgently and gallantly to this incident."

HM Coastguard said the salvage of Solong had progressed to enable its relocation to Aberdeen for safe berthing.

PA Media Aerial view of the cargo ship Solong with smoke pouring from its decks and fire damage to its hull. PA Media
Fires burned for days on the Solong after the collision

Meanwhile, the Stena Immaculate will be towed to the North East of England after more than 200,000 barrels of jet fuel are removed over the weekend.

Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate, said salvage and recovery operations were now moving into the next phase.

The remaining 202,485 barrels of Jet-A1 cargo will be transferred to the tanker Fure Vyl and delivered to its original destination of Killingholme, in Lincolnshire.

The Stena Immaculate will be towed to the Port of Tyne, near Newcastle, for further inspection. This is expected to take place in early April.

The Port of Aberdeen said the Solong would be prepared for the next stage of salvage operations.

The Solong's captain Vladimir Motin, 59, is due to stand trial in January next year.

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