Authorities arrested the captain of the cargo ship Solong after a fatal North Sea collision led to a jet fuel spill, raising alarms about marine pollution.
Robyn Vinter, Josh Halliday, and Karen McVeigh report for The Guardian.
In short:
- The Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate, which was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for the U.S. Air Force; at least one tank is leaking into the North Sea.
- Authorities arrested the Solong’s captain on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after a crew member went missing.
- Experts warn that jet fuel is highly toxic to marine life, with potential long-term ecological consequences.
Key quote:
“The health and environmental effects will be short- and long-term, local and regional.”
— Dr. Jennifer Allan, Cardiff University
Why this matters:
Jet fuel spills can have severe consequences for marine ecosystems, harming fish, birds, and coastal habitats. Unlike crude oil, jet fuel evaporates quickly but is more acutely toxic, potentially disrupting food chains and contaminating fisheries. The North Sea supports diverse marine life and a significant fishing industry, making this spill particularly concerning. Investigations will determine the full extent of the damage, but containment efforts are already underway.
Related: Oil pollution in UK seas underreported by nearly half, warns Oceana
