Container Ship Solong Arrives in Aberdeen Following Collision with US Tanker

The Portuguese vessel was towed to safety after a fatal incident in the North Sea, leading to charges against its captain.

The container ship Solong, which was involved in a collision with the US fuel tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea, has successfully arrived in the Port of Aberdeen, Scotland, for safe berthing.

The incident occurred on March 10, resulting in the captain of the Solong being charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The Solong, a Portuguese vessel, was towed to Aberdeen after it struck the anchored Stena Immaculate off the East Yorkshire coast.

The collision prompted a significant rescue operation, during which 36 crew members from both ships were saved.

However, one sailor from the Solong, Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino national, is reported missing and is presumed dead.

The captain of the Solong, Vladimir Motin, 59, from St Petersburg, Russia, has appeared at London's Old Bailey and has been remanded in custody following the charges against him.

As the Solong arrived at the port around 7am on Friday, it was accompanied by a vessel equipped with counter-pollution measures.

Reports indicate that the Solong continued to burn for several days after the accident, while the crew of the Stena Immaculate was commended for their quick actions in activating an essential firefighting system before abandoning ship.

The maritime company Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate, confirmed that only one of its cargo tanks containing jet fuel sustained damage during the incident.

Paddy O’Callaghan, Chief Coastguard, stated that salvage operations for the Solong will be conducted in Aberdeen, while similar efforts for the Stena Immaculate are underway.

This includes plans to transfer its cargo to another vessel, with operations possibly starting over the weekend.

In an environmental impact note, thousands of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on the Solong and began washing ashore on Norfolk beaches.

Local authorities are actively engaged in the cleanup, with King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council focusing on areas between Holme-next-the-Sea and Old Hunstanton to remove the pellets.

Although conservationists have stated that nurdles are not toxic, they can pose a risk to wildlife if ingested.

HM Coastguard is providing ongoing support to local governments in managing the response to any pollution and continues to monitor the situation closely.

The company that owns the Solong, Ernt Russ, announced that the vessel will undergo a thorough assessment by marine specialists and insurers while docked in Aberdeen.

The trial for Captain Motin is scheduled to take place in January 2026.