Just after 10 a.m. this morning, two ships collided in the North Sea just off the coast of Hull. One of the ships was an oil tanker flying under the US flag, and it has been confirmed that it was carrying jet fuel.

As one person has been taken to hospital with other crew “safe and accounted for“, many people are now turning to look at the environmental impact of the incident.

In a statement posted on social media, maritime firm Crowley, which manages the tanker involved in the collision, said: “At approximately 10 am UTC/5 am EST on March 10 2025, while anchored off the North Sea coast near Hull, United Kingdom, the Crowley-managed tanker Stena Immaculate was struck by the container ship Solong.

“The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-Al fuel due to the collision. A fire occurred as a result of the allision, and fuel was reported released.”

The company concluded that “Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment”, but as reports of fuel in the water emerge, the environmental response from multiple agencies is where many will look next.

It is not currently known how much fuel the Stena Immaculate oil tanker was carrying, but cleanup costs for the North Sea could quickly cost millions.

Greenpeace UK has said it was “too early” to know the extent of any environmental damage. A spokesperson said: “We are monitoring reports of a cargo vessel crashing into an oil tanker off the coast of Yorkshire very closely. Both the high speed of the collision and the footage of the aftermath are cause for great concern.

“Right now, our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident and the emergency services responding to the situation. At this stage, it’s too early to assess the extent of any environmental damage.”

Speaking in Parliament, Environment Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said she was “extremely shocked and concerned” about the North Sea collision.

Describing it as an “emerging picture”, she added: “We are speaking very closely in Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) to the Department for Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who are leading the Government response on this and who are at the moment assessing the situation.”

Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: “While we will be thankful that everyone has been brought ashore, I continue to be concerned about the potential ecological impact.

“That’s why I’m calling for a unified command structure, to bring together government, police, Coastguard, the Environment Agency, local authorities and your MPs together.”

An air and sea exclusion zone has been established around the location of the collision. It is currently five miles but could be extended to 10 miles.