Russian captain faces trial for North Sea collision

The Russian captain of a container ship involved in a deadly crash with a US oil tanker is set to stand trial in January. Vladimir Motin, 59, faces charges of gross negligence manslaughter. His trial is scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026. Motin appeared via video link at the Old Bailey court for a bail hearing on Friday. He confirmed his name and date of birth through a Russian interpreter but did not enter a plea. He is currently in custody. The collision occurred on March 10, off the coast of Yorkshire, when Motin's ship, Solong, crashed into the tanker Stena Immaculate. While all 23 crew members on the tanker and 13 from the Solong were rescued, 38-year-old Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia remains missing and is feared dead. The judge noted Motin's next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing on April 14. The Solong, a 140-meter-long Portuguese-registered vessel, was carrying 157 containers and traveling at about 15 knots when the incident occurred. The Stena Immaculate, which is 183 meters long, was anchored at the collision site for around 15 hours before the accident.