Cargo Ship Solong’s Owner Takes Steps To Limit Its Liability After Collision In North Sea

The owner of the cargo ship that collided with a US military contracted tanker in the North Sea has filed legal documents in London to establish a fund for potential lawsuits after the collision.

MS Solong Schiffahrtsgesellschaft MBH & Co KG, a subsidiary of Ernst Russ and owned of the Portuguese-flagged Solong, has taken steps to limit its liability by setting up a “limitation fund” in the UK Admiralty Court.

The company said this is a standard procedure for large maritime accidents to provide security for claimants while managing financial exposure.

Court filings show that the Solong’s owners are facing legal action from Stena Bulk Marine Services USA LLC and Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions LLC, the operators of the Stena Immaculate, which was anchored when Solong crashed into it on March 10.

The Ernst Russ subsidiary has initiated a separate legal claim against Dutch logistics firm Samskip MCL BV, whose containers were abroad the Solong, as well as “all other persons claiming or entitled to claim loss or damage” due to the collision.

A representative from Ernst Russ explained that the incident happened in UK waters, and several potential claimants, including public authorities, reside in the UK, making London the appropriate jurisdiction for the limitation fund.

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The fund aims to compensate verified claims while ensuring a structured legal process.

The collision, which took place around 9:47 am on March 10, occurred approximately 10.2 nautical miles from the nearest land point off the East Yorkshire coast.

The Stena Immaculate had been anchored at the location since 6:50 pm the previous evening. The Solong, traveling at about 15 knots, struck the port side of the Stena Immaculate, leading to a massive fire.

Rescue teams managed to save 36 crew members from both vessels, but one sailor from the Solong, identified as 38 year old Mark Angelo Pernia from the Philippines, remains missing and is presumed dead.

The Solong’s captain, 59 year old Russian national Vladimir Motin, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. He appeared at the Old Bailey on March 21 and is scheduled to stand trial in January next year.

After the collision, the Solong remained burning for a week before beign towed to the Port of Aberdeen. Ernst Russ confirmed that the vessel suffered extensive damage and is likely a total loss.

The company acknowledged the tragic loss of a crew member and expressed gratitude to the Port of Aberdeen for accommodating the damaged vessel.

Ernst Russ also stated that efforts were underway to assess the full extent of the ship’s damage, remove affected cargo, and manage the environmental and financial repercussions of the accident.

Legal proceedings are now underway in London, where the limitation fund will be used to address verified claims against the Solong’s owner.

The UK Admiralty Court will now oversee multiple lawsuits, while investigators continue examining the causes of the accident and assessing accountability for the damages.

References: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News