Stena-Immaculate

The 'Stena Immaculate' has finally arrived in Tuzla under tow on Oct 21. The tanker has now been sold by Stenba Bulk to a buyer who will undertake the necessary repairs at the Desan Yardgem United Shipyards. Prior to the transfer, the ship was reflagged from the United States to the Maltese flag. Meanwhile the relevant authorities continued to investigate the circumstances of the collision with the 'Solong', and any related inquiries should be directed to them. A civil claim between the parties involved was ongoing. The then owners of the 'Stena Immaculate' and the 'Solong' were due to face trial in London’s High Court no earlier than October 2026, following legal action filed by the Stena Bulk Marine Services USA and the Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions against the MS Solong Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, part of Ernst Russ Group. The collision led to the loss of more than 17,500 barrels of jet fuel and the death a 38-year-old Filipino seafarer from the 'Solong', who remains missing and has been presumed dead. The 'Solong'’s master has pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and will stand trial at the Old Bailey in January 2026.

On Sep 25, the 'Stena Immaculate', being towed by the tug 'Sea Searaya' (IMO: 9662368), has left the port of Great Yarmoth em route to Yalova for repairs. The convoy, sailing at a speed of about five knots, has an ETA as of Oct 20 in the port of destination. Photo: https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3900493?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest

The 'Stena Immaculate' was expected to leave the port of Great Yarmouth on Sep 24. Port timetables revealed the ship would be towed further out to sea. Tugs have been booked to tow the vessel out of Great Yarmouth's outer harbour. The operation was, however, delayed, with the port expecting the tanker will depart on Sep 26 now. The ship was first to be towed approximately 10 miles north to a point near Winterton-on-Sea. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e7p9ee0peo

The Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, has received US permission for a replacement of the damaged 'Stena Immaculate' in the frame of the US’s Tanker Security Program, which is administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to transport fuel supplies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The MARAD has approved operating the 'CS Anthem' (IMO: 9785691), the former 'STI Bosphorus', under the program in order to advance the nation’s strategic sealift capabilities, strengthening U.S. maritime security and providing reliable, U.S.-crewed tanker capacity in support of national defense. The new vessel is largely a swap with the same characteristics as the 'Stena Immaculate'. The CS Anthem had been operating for India’s Scorpio. The tanker was recently transferred to the U.S. flag from the Marshall Islands and now has a homeport of Jacksonville, Florida. Crowley is responsible for crewing and managing the tanker under a bareboat charter through the joint venture. The company also manages the 'Stena Imperative' and 'Stena Impeccable' in the Tanker Security Program. The 'Stena Immaculate' remained berthed in Great Yarmouth ifor the time being.

On Aug 12 the container m/v 'Solong', which had caught fire after the collision with the 'Stena Immaculate', was towed to breakers in Ghent by the tug ' Multratug 36' (IMO: 9985289) with the 'Multratug 35' (IMO: 9964039) as steering tug. The ship had been sold to breakers after unloading the gutted container cargo in Aberdeen, and was towed out of the port on Aug 9. The engine room is still completely intact because the crew flooded it with CO2. All the remaining flammable material are to be removed from the accommodation first, and then the workers can start the flame cutting, removing the hatches, the bow, and finally, manually cutting the ship horizontally down to six meters above the keel. Everything must be ready by Dec 1, and all the pieces will be sent to Turkey on a seagoing vessel. In some cases, the higher-quality ironwork will also be sent to ArcelorMittal for remelting. Reports with photos: https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/17698907/rampschip-door-sluizen-van-terneuzen-gesleept?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMNAqhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHq3S0trv3qkpQeJ51YFkLTTJiSBEd30j9dNC3ttvTN6HWQ7tTvt3lXy6aHu2_aem_5am71imXholWxjNj_PbgPw https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/08/13/containerschip-solong-gent-haven-ontmantelen-sloop/

The Russian captain Vladimir Motin, 59, of the 'Solong', which collided with the oil tanker 'Stena Immaculate', resulting in the death of a crew member, Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino, appeared in court on Ma 30 for "involuntary manslaughter due to gross negligence." During this hearing before the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey, in London. Motin was expected to declare his guilty plea, which will determine whether a trial will take place. Motin pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until trial. Assisted by a Russian interpreter, Motin earlier confirmed his identity before he entered his plea at London's Central Criminal Court via video link from prison.A further case management hearing has been set for Sept 10. A trial date has been set for Jan 12, 2026. Vladimir Motin, originally from St. Petersburg, has been detained since the accident. In April, Motin appeared by videoconference before a judge, who then decided to postpone the hearing on the suspect's guilt due to the lack of a Russian interpreter available.

An interim Report on the alliision of the 'Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' has been Issued by the MAIB: Following the accident, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch began a formal inquiry and this week issued an interim report that traces the 'Solong'’s course leading up to the collision, creates a timeline for the watchkeeping schedule aboard the ship and shows plainly that the 'Solong' was at fault. The MAIB’s ongoing investigation will focus on several critical aspects. It will encompass the navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time. The 'Stena Immaculate' was pulled to the port of Great Yarmouth, being towed by the tugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944) on the evening of April 11, and safely berthed in the foreport, assisted by the tugs 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944), 'Sea Juliett' (IMO: 9778387), 'Camperdown' (IMO: 9974905) and 'Triton' (IMO: 9451537). .It is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined. Reports, photos and video: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-04-11/north-sea-tanker-towed-into-port-one-month-after-collision?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrGzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHk4G44MLVn-nasgHUsXSBzdr8gVdSfVSB1GGsmbEo1a36akWZR_qUx27Kyxb_aem_0sGC-1i5tfTt4wxE2GgVeg https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg72150xvx8o https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3826817?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7tbwxxvFSw https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/stena-immaculate-docks-great-yarmouth-10102061

The Russian captain of the 'Soling', Vladimir Motin, appeared before at London's Central Criminal Court, from prison via a video link on April 14. He is charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the death of a crew member. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, a Filipino crew member on the 'Solong', is missing presumed dead. Mr Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing, and the case was adjourned until May 30 for a plea hearing at the same court. Report with picture: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lz79q2y1vo