North Sea collision: searching for answers with AIS data

An overview of the incident using AIS data 

As someone who works with AIS data every day at Spire Maritime, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is for tracking vessel movements, preventing collisions, and investigating maritime incidents. But sometimes, even with all the technology available, things go terribly wrong—like what happened in the North Sea on March 10, 2025, when the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong collided with the anchored oil tanker Stena Immaculate off the coast of East Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.  

So, what’s important to note? 

🛳 The Stena Immaculate was nearly stationary, drifting at just 0.1 knots while anchored outside Hull.  🚢 The Solong was moving at 16 knots, en route from Scotland to Rotterdam, before striking the tanker. 

That’s a big speed difference—and it makes one wonder, was no one on the bridge of the Solong paying attention? Was there a failure in communication? With modern tracking and navigation tech, these kinds of collisions shouldn’t happen, especially in open waters. 

Then there’s the cargo. The Stena Immaculate was carrying jet fuel for the US Department of Defense. Meanwhile, reports claim the Solong had containers of sodium cyanide—a highly toxic chemical. The ship’s owner has denied this, but either way, this could have been a much bigger disaster if hazardous materials had spilled into the sea. 

Why AIS data is critical in these incidents  

Whenever an accident like this happens, there’s always the question: Was it human error, mechanical failure, or something else? 

This is where AIS data makes all the difference. It allows investigators to: 

✅ Reconstruct the timeline 

✅ Verify vessel movements 

✅ Assess risk factors 

For insurers and investigators, AIS data plays a vital role in verifying claims, assessing liability, and analyzing the circumstances surrounding maritime incidents. Spire Maritime’s historical AIS database enables insurers to cross-check reported vessel movements against actual recorded data, helping to validate claims and reduce fraud. Investigators can also use this data to reconstruct event timelines and determine whether human error, regulatory violations, or mechanical failures contributed to an accident. Additionally, insurers leverage AIS-based risk assessments to refine underwriting models, identifying patterns that influence premium calculations and loss prevention strategies. 

One challenge in areas like the North Sea is signal congestion—with so many ships, traditional AIS coverage can get patchy. This is why Enhanced Satellite AIS is so important. It provides better vessel detection, even in high-traffic zones, helping authorities track movements with greater accuracy. By leveraging advanced satellite technology, Spire Maritime’s Enhanced Satellite AIS optimizes vessel detection and ensures reliable tracking even in dense shipping lanes.  

We Have the Tools— Let’s Use Them Better 

As we wait for the full investigation report, one thing is clear: AIS data will play a huge role in uncovering the truth—and hopefully, in making sure something like this doesn’t happen again. The tools exist to track, monitor, and prevent these kinds of disasters. But technology is only as good as the people using it. Whether it was human error, a failure to act, or a technical issue, something went very wrong that night. Could better situational awareness or enhanced AIS tracking have prevented the incident? 

I would love to hear your thoughts- how can we leverage AIS and other technology better to avoid such incidents?