Stena Bulk has sold the fire-damaged Stena Immaculate to an undisclosed buyer who plans to repair the vessel at Desan Shipyard in Turkey.
The Swedish tanker owner confirmed the sale, saying the deal involves the 2017-built 49,700-dwt MR unit, which was badly damaged in a collision with the containership Solong in the North Sea in March 2025.
The vessel caught fire after being struck while anchored off the Humber Estuary, suffering severe hull and cargo tank damage. It had been carrying aviation fuel for the US military at the time of the incident.
After being salvaged, the ship was towed to Great Yarmouth’s Outer Harbour for inspection by insurance adjusters before later moving to Malta. Earlier this week, the tanker was sighted arriving in Tuzla, Turkey, ahead of its transfer to the new owner.
Stena Bulk said the buyer will carry out full repairs at Desan Shipyard. Prior to handover, the ship was reflagged from the US to Malta.
Authorities in the UK continue to investigate the collision. A civil claim between the parties involved is ongoing. The owners of the Stena Immaculate and Solong are due to face trial in London’s High Court no earlier than October 2026, following legal action filed by Stena Bulk Marine Services USA and Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions against MS Solong Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, part of Ernst Russ Group.
The collision led to the loss of more than 17,500 barrels of jet fuel and one fatality — a 38-year-old Filipino seafarer from the Solong, who remains missing and is presumed dead. The Solong’s master has pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and will stand trial at the Old Bailey in January.
