Carmichael calls for government response following shipping collision

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has said that a shipping collision off the coast of North-East England today must be “a spur for stronger regulation” against unsafe behaviour by tankers, including in the waters around the Northern Isles. Mr Carmichael noted local complaints about tankers sheltering in areas off the coast of Shetland in particular, despite these being marked as “areas to be avoided” for such vessels.

The incident occurred before 10:00 GMT, with the Stena Immaculate tanker apparently hit while at anchor by the container ship Solong, according to BBC analysis of tracking data.

Thirty-six people have been brought ashore after a cargo vessel collided with an oil tanker off the East Yorkshire coast. One of the 14 crew members on the Solong cargo ship is missing according to the owner, though the coastguard has not yet confirmed if anyone is still missing.

It has also emerged that the cargo ship involved was carrying 15 containers of the toxic chemical sodium cyanide, while the tanker was carrying jet fuel for the US government, some of which is spilling into the North Sea.

Mr Carmichael said:

“What we are seeing off the north-east coast of England is a graphic reminder – if it were needed – of what can go wrong when shipping vessels collide. We do not yet know exactly what has caused this collision but the consequences are already plain to see.

“It should be a reminder in particular of the serious risks being taken by tankers anchoring near to the Northern Isles in zones which are supposed to be understood as ‘Areas to be Avoided’. Our history is already marred by destructive examples of ships going to ground so we know more than most about the harm that can come from these events. It is a danger to human, animal and plant life alike.

“What has happened off the English coast with the Stena Immaculate and the Solong could very easily happen in our waters if the authorities do not take this as a spur for stronger regulation and to be stricter with vessels acting outside of the limits. We cannot afford another Braer in our waters.”