Ship Owner Takes Legal Action Over North Sea Collision
London, April 5, 2025 — The legal fallout from last month’s collision between two vessels in the North Sea has intensified, as the owners of the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong have filed a legal claim against the owners of the US-registered tanker Stena Immaculate, which was struck while anchored 16 miles (26km) off the coast of East Yorkshire.
The incident, which occurred on March 10, has prompted multiple legal actions. The most recent, lodged at London’s Admiralty Court on Thursday, involves “the owners and demise charterers” of the Solong taking legal action against “the owners and demise charterers” of the Stena Immaculate.
This latest filing follows a claim made earlier in the week by the co-owners of the Stena Immaculate — Stena Bulk and Crowley — against Ernst Russ, the Hamburg-based firm that owns the Solong. Neither claim has been detailed in public court filings, and both companies have so far refrained from elaborating on the basis of their respective legal arguments.
In a statement released on Thursday, a spokesperson for Ernst Russ acknowledged the legal proceedings and described them as “a usual process for large maritime casualties.” The company added, “This represents another step in working toward the conclusion of this tragic incident. Meanwhile, Ernst Russ continues to offer all necessary assistance in support of the ongoing investigations.”
The crash, which caused significant structural damage to both ships and ignited a fire aboard the Solong, led to the loss of 17,515 barrels of aviation fuel. The fire continued to burn for nearly a week before the Solong managed to dock safely in Aberdeen. A large-scale rescue operation was mounted in the immediate aftermath of the collision, saving 36 crew members from both vessels.
However, the incident also resulted in tragedy. One crew member aboard the Solong, Mark Pernia, remains missing and is presumed dead. He was last seen in the ship’s forward area, which bore the brunt of the impact.
The Solong’s captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, has since been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. He is due to stand trial next year, though his legal team has not commented on the charges.
On Thursday, the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released an interim report shedding light on the circumstances that led to the crash. Investigators found that neither vessel had posted “dedicated lookouts” during what were described as “patchy conditions.” This omission, they noted, may have contributed to the failure to prevent the collision.
In response to the findings, Crowley, the operational manager for the Stena Immaculate, defended the tanker’s actions. “The vessel was in compliance with applicable watch-standing safety regulations and company policies for an anchored vessel at the time of the incident,” a spokesperson said. “We are confident the forthcoming comprehensive investigation report will clarify the facts and circumstances of the incident, demonstrating that Crowley exercised appropriate vigilance.”
In a further development, Ernst Russ confirmed earlier this week that it had established a financial fund in preparation for any verified claims from the crash. The move appears to be a preemptive measure to handle compensation demands that may arise from cargo loss, environmental impact, or crew injuries.
Despite the legal posturing, maritime law experts say it may take months, if not years, to resolve liability in such a complex case. “Determining fault in marine collisions is notoriously complicated,” said Professor Helena Muir of the Southampton Institute of Maritime Law. “Multiple parties, from ship owners to charterers and operators, will be scrutinized for their roles. The Admiralty Court will consider evidence from navigation logs, radar data, crew testimonies, and regulatory compliance.”
With investigations ongoing and multiple lawsuits now in motion, the incident remains under close watch by international maritime authorities. Both companies have indicated their willingness to cooperate, but the road to resolution — and justice for those affected — is still unfolding.
As the shipping industry awaits the final MAIB report, the case is already being viewed as a cautionary tale of how even anchored vessels, if not properly monitored, can become involved in devastating accidents at sea.
