US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by the Portugal-flagged container ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull, this morning.
Horrifying footage shows huge plumes of black smoke rising from the scene of the smash, as a large inferno rages out of control 10 miles off the East Yorkshire coast.
Both ships are now ablaze, with fires also raging on the water - with port bosses saying they spotted a 'massive fireball'.
A major rescue mission is now underway, with coastguards having issued an urgent call for ships to join the search and rescue effort.
More than 30 people have been pulled ashore, according to a local port boss. However, it's unclear how many of the crew from each stricken ship remain unaccounted for.
Helicopters are on the scene where the 600ft-long 'chemical tanker' MV Stena Immaculate is ablaze.
The vessel's management firm Crowley Maritime have confirmed that the giant tanker was carrying A-1 kerosene-type jet fuel at the time of the collision.
The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank after it was crashed into by the Solong, causing 'multiple explosions' and jet fuel to be released into the water, Crowley said.
The fuel leak raises the possibility of a major environmental catastrophe off the east coast, experts have warned.
Lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes, have been scrambled, as well as a number of firefighters.
Civilian boats have also reportedly answered the call for aid, with ship tracking site Marinetraffic showing a number of craft around the stricken vessels.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat. A further nine were brought in by a harbour pilot vessel, he added.
Mr Boyers said he had been told there was 'a massive fireball', adding: 'It's too far out for us to see - about 10 miles - but we have seen the vessels bringing them in.
'They must have sent a mayday out - luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.
'Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.'
The casualties' conditions remain unclear although the Martyn Boyers, the Chief Executive of the Port of Grimsby East suggested that all were alive.
However, the BBC has reported that all the crew from the Stena Immaculate have been accounted for and are safe.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has sent investigators to Grimsby following the crash.
A MAIB spokesperson said: 'The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to Grimsby following the collision of the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong and the US-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate which collided in the North Sea this morning.
'Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.'
Reuters reported that the American tanker was at least partially loaded with cargo.
Fuel is understood to be leaking out across the estuary, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.
Locals have been warned to seal their windows as the huge plumes of thick black smoke billow into the sky.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'I'm concerned to hear of the collision between two vessels in the North Sea this morning and am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops.
'I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident.'
The incident unfolded at just before 9.50am on Monday - with the closest village to the scene being Withernsea.
Specialist vessels with firefighting hoses were sent to the been sent to the scene to try and quell the inferno.
It's understood the Portuguese cargo ship collided with the tanker, which was anchored off the Humber Estuary.
Speaking to Sky News, maritime expert David McFarlane claimed the moving vessel was most likely to blame for the disaster.
He said: 'Reading between the lines in this case, if that tanker was remaining at anchor, as it's been reported, then obviously she's got a very limited liability.
'There's not a lot you can do apart from picking up the anchor, which can take almost up to an hour to do, by which time… the apparent collision is probably well and truly past.'
However, he stressed it was too early to determine a cause for the incident - with officials set to probe the disaster at a later date.
David McFarlane, of Maritime Risk and Safety Consultants, told Sky News that in cases where vessels end up in court for arbitration after a collision, it is very rare for the accident to be attributed entirely to only one vessel.
But he said if the US tanker was remaining at anchor as has been reported, obviously she would have limited liability. The only action the MV Stena Immaculate could have taken would be to raise the anchor - a process that can take an hour, far too slow to avert any collision.
'You don't expect to get hit while you're at anchor,' retired Real Admiral Christopher Parry, 71, said, speaking on Sky News. 'Every single law at sea says you must keep a competent lookout at all times.'
In a recording reportedly of the coastguard's alert to the disaster, sailors were warned: 'Solong has collided with tanker Stena Immaculate in the outer anchorage. Both vessels are abandoning.
'Vessels who have firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue [should] contact Humber coastguard on Channel 16.
'Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying jet A-1 fuel which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.'
It's believed Stena Immaculate had travelled from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, and was anchored outside Hull.
The 461ft Solong, meanwhile, had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
The ship displaces 7,852 ton and is thought to have been carrying commercial goods. It was built in 2005 and is crewed by around 20 people.
The 600ft Stena Immaculate, built in 2017, is far larger, weighing in at 29,854 tons. It has a crew of between 20 and 25 people.
Stena Bulk jointly own the ship with their US partner Crowley, who operate it.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: 'HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire.
'The alarm was raised at 9.48am.
'A Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.
'The incident remains ongoing.'
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: 'Six fire engines and one aerial vehicle are currently in attendance at this industrial fire involving an oil tanker.
'Firefighters were called at 8.34am this morning and are continuing to tackle the fire.
'Those living or workng nearby should continue to keep windows and doors closed.'
The Port of Grimsby East, part of the larger Humber Ports complex, serves as a major hub for automotive imports, offshore wind farm servicing, and general cargo handling, including timber, minerals, metals, and dry bulks - connecting the UK to Europe and beyond.
According to Associated British Ports, in 2021 alone there were in excess of 34,000 ship movements on the Humber estuary, overseen by ABP’s Vessel Tracking Service.
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