Video Captures North Sea Collision Amid Dense Fog

MV Solong and MV Stene Immaculate Collision Video

12 March 2025 – Video footage from Orca AI’s SeaPod unit has captured the moment a feeder containership, MV Solong, collided with the tanker MV Stena Immaculate in the North Sea near Grimsby. The tanker Ionic Aspis, anchored nearby, had the AI-powered system installed, which recorded the impact.

Two video feeds document the accident. The first, captured by day cameras, highlights the dense fog that likely obscured visibility. The second, from thermal cameras, reveals the Solong’s approach and the explosion on impact.

Orca AI’s CEO and Co-founder, Yarden Gross, commented: “This footage provides crucial context, showing the poor visibility at the time and the moment of impact. The incident underscores the challenges of maritime navigation, where reliance on traditional tools, crew fatigue, and adverse weather heighten risks.”

Gross emphasized that AI-driven systems enhance situational awareness, enabling crews to make faster, data-driven decisions in hazardous conditions. The footage has been made available to UK investigators.

About Orca AI
London-based Orca AI develops AI-powered maritime navigation solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and safety. The company has partnered with major shipping firms, including Maran Tankers and MSC, and played a key role in the world’s first commercial autonomous voyage in 2022.

For more details, visit: www.orca-ai.io

MAIB Investigates Collision Between Solong and Stena Immaculate

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an inquiry into the North Sea collision between the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong and the US-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea, 14 nautical miles northeast of Spurn Head.

The investigation

Following the incident, MAIB deployed inspectors to Grimsby for a preliminary assessment. The investigation is being led by MAIB, with support from the US National Transportation Safety Board, US Coastguard, and Portugal’s Marine Safety Investigation Authority.

The priority has been to assist emergency services with search and rescue efforts, secure the vessels, and assess environmental risks. One crew member from Solong remains missing, while 36 crew members from both vessels were recovered.

Initial Findings

Initial findings confirm Solong regularly travelled between Grangemouth and Rotterdam. On the day of the collision, it altered course at 01:30 UTC to a heading of 150° at 16.4 knots, before striking the anchored Stena Immaculate at 09:47 UTC near the Humber entrance.

The investigation will focus on navigational practices, crew fatigue management, vessel maintenance, and environmental conditions at the time. MAIB aims to determine the cause and prevent future incidents. The retrieval of both vessels’ Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) will be a key part of the inquiry.

For updates, visit MAIB’s official website.