Tanker Collision Off British Coast: No Major Fuel Leak Detected

The US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate was involved in a collision with the Portuguese-flagged Solong container ship. Most of the jet fuel onboard remained intact, with only two of the 18 tanks leaking. The incident led to the arrest of Solong's captain on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

In a significant maritime incident off the British coast, the US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate was hit by the Portuguese-flagged Solong container ship. Fortunately, most of the jet fuel cargo onboard remains intact, with no major leakage reported, according to Stena Bulk, the vessel's owner.

Stena Bulk's Chief Executive, Erik Hanell, stated that while two of the eighteen fuel tanks leaked, they represented only about 10% of the vessel's total capacity, approximately 50,000 cubic meters of jet fuel. "There's no fire any longer," Hanell confirmed, and a clearer picture on the salvage operation will emerge in the next 24-48 hours.

Following the collision, British police arrested the captain of the Solong on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Meanwhile, Stena Immaculate's 23 American crew members, now in the UK, were reportedly in good health, albeit shaken by the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)