Plastic Nurdles Wash Up on England’s East Coast Following North Sea Tanker Collision

The environmental impact of the North Sea collision between the oil tanker Stena Immaculate and cargo ship Solong is becoming increasingly evident, as plastic nurdles have begun washing up along England’s east coast. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed that the plastic pellets likely originated from the collision and subsequent fire, which triggered a major environmental response.

The accident, which occurred off the coast of East Yorkshire, resulted in an explosion, fires, and the tragic loss of a crew member from the Solong, who is now presumed dead. The captain of the cargo vessel has since been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

While oil spills often dominate concerns in maritime accidents, the release of plastic nurdles presents a serious but often overlooked ecological threat. These tiny pellets, used in plastic production, are not toxic themselves, but they pose a significant danger to marine wildlife when ingested.

An Expanding Environmental Threat

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan confirmed that aerial surveillance has detected nurdles in the water and along the shoreline. Cleanup efforts began immediately, but the full extent of the contamination remains unclear.

According to Calum Duncan of the Marine Conservation Society, the Wash estuary—a critical protected habitat for seabirds—could face severe consequences. "Fish and seabirds could mistake them for food, leading to starvation and serious health issues," Duncan explained.

While no major oil spills have been reported, salvage teams confirmed that 17,515 barrels of jet fuel were lost due to the fire and impact. Authorities are now preparing to tow the Stena Immaculate to Saltend, near Hull, to offload its remaining fuel before sending it for repairs.

The STW Enviro Perspective: Addressing Oil and Plastic Spill Risks

At STW Enviro, we emphasize that marine pollution isn’t just about oil spills—plastic waste from maritime incidents poses long-term risks to ecosystems. Events like this highlight the urgent need for advanced spill containment and environmental remediation strategies to manage both hydrocarbon leaks and plastic contamination.

Our Pristine Sea technology is designed to contain and absorb oil spills quickly, minimizing their impact on marine environments. Additionally, our expertise in soil and water remediation solutions could be instrumental in helping recover affected coastlines and habitats impacted by nurdles and other pollutants.

While investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, the presence of plastic nurdles in the water reinforces the critical need for stronger maritime safety measures and sustainable transport practices. Rapid response and cleanup solutions must evolve alongside the increasing complexities of global trade and industrial transportation.

What Happens Next?

• Cleanup crews continue retrieving plastic nurdles from the coastline.
• The Stena Immaculate will be towed to Saltend, where remaining fuel will be offloaded before repairs.
• Authorities are investigating whether additional environmental risks remain in the area.
• The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is working to determine the root cause of the crash, while the Solong’s captain remains in custody on manslaughter charges.

At STW Enviro, we remain committed to supporting environmentally responsible solutions for oil transport, spill mitigation, and pollution control. As incidents like this continue to unfold, investing in sustainable cleanup strategies and spill prevention technologies is more critical than ever.