On March 10, 2025, off the coast of East Yorkshire in the North Sea, a collision between the container ship MV Solong and the tanker MV Stena Immaculate caused a fuel spill and a fire on both vessels.

The tanker Stena Immaculate, flying the U.S. flag, was carrying approximately 35 million liters of highly toxic military jet fuel. The Solong, registered in Portugal, was transporting alcoholic beverages. Authorities intervened promptly to contain the spill, but what will be the environmental impact?

The threat to ecosystems: ocean currents amplify the damage

Ocean currents play a crucial role in the dispersion of pollutants, extending the reach of environmental disasters. This spill could spread to distant shores, with devastating consequences for biodiversity.

• Impact on marine flora: Seagrass meadows, algae, and mangroves risk suffocation due to the oil slick, which blocks sunlight and disrupts photosynthesis.
• Harm to marine fauna: Phytoplankton, the foundation of the oceanic food chain, absorbs toxic substances from the oil, endangering the entire ecosystem. Fish, crustaceans, dolphins, and seabirds suffer physical and physiological damage—coating their feathers and gills with oil, affecting buoyancy, thermal regulation, and feeding ability.
• Long-term effects: The bioaccumulation of toxic substances in large marine predators can lead to genetic mutations and ecosystem imbalances for decades.

Historical oil disasters: lessons still not learned

The North Sea is no stranger to environmental crises, and history reminds us how oil spills can have catastrophic consequences.

• Gulf war oil spill (1991): The largest oil spill in history, with over 4-6 million barrels of crude oil deliberately released into the Persian Gulf, causing irreversible damage to coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Haven tanker disaster (1991): In the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Arenzano, an explosion on the Haven tanker led to the spill of over 144,000 tons of crude oil, contaminating Italian shores for years.

Despite technological advancements, managing oil spills remains a complex challenge. Dispersants used to contain oil slicks may reduce visible pollution, but crude oil settles on the seabed, contaminating marine habitats for decades.

Prevention and mitigation: a crucial commitment to ocean protection

Oil spills pose a global threat, with immediate effects on local ecosystems and far-reaching impacts due to pollutant dispersion by ocean currents. To prevent future disasters, it is essential to:

• Implement stricter safety measures for transporting hazardous substances.
• Strengthen emergency response plans for rapid and effective spill containment.
• Promote the use of advanced technologies for cleaning polluted waters.

Restoring affected areas can take decades, and in some cases, the damage may be irreversible. Protecting the ocean means preserving the health of our planet and future generations.