Damaged cargo ship being towed to Aberdeen

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

The impact between the Portuguese-flagged Solong and the US-registered tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea, off East Yorkshire, on 10 March triggered an explosion and fires, which have since been extinguished.

A crew member of the Solong, a Filipino national, is missing and presumed dead, while the ship's Russian captain is charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

Owners of the cargo vessel Ernst Russ confirmed it was being towed to Aberdeen and the Coastguard said the vessel, which was being hauled by a tug, would arrive in the Scottish port "later this week".

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Salvage of the Solong has progressed to enable its relocation to the Port of Aberdeen for safe berthing."

He said the Stena Immaculate "remains in a stable condition with salvage ongoing".

A spokesperson for Ernst Russ said the cargo vessel would be "fully assessed by specialist marine assessors and insurers" after it arrives in Aberdeen.

They said: "We are very aware of the efforts and assistance from all those acting in the response.

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

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

Nurdles are balls of plastic resin used in plastics production.

Ernst Russ admitted they were held in containers on board the Solong and had been released during the intense fires, which took a week to bring under control.

According to conservation groups, the nurdles are not toxic but can have a devastating impact on animals if they are eaten.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said a "clean-up operation has been underway for several days".

"Sadly the plastic pollution has been extensive at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, where the shorebird sanctuary for rare and vulnerable species such as little tern and ringed plover is set to come into play from 1 April," the charity said in a social media post.

"Our priority at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has been to clear this area ahead of the breeding and nesting season, when it is critical that the birds are not subject to disturbance."

It urged visitors to the site not to touch the debris.

Mr O'Callaghan said HM Coastguard was continuing "to support local authorities which are leading the onshore response to pollution, including plastic nurdles, in Norfolk and Lincolnshire."

Rescuers saved 36 crew off both ships, with one sailor from the Solong - Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38 - missing presumed dead.

The Solong's captain Vladimir Motin has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The 59-year-old from Primorsky, St Petersburg in Russia is due to stand trial in January 2026.

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