Regan Brown
Oil tankers are vessels that can carry up to 550,000 deadweight tons (DWT) of cargo, which can include jet fuel. In fact, in March 2025, a US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, carrying 142,000 barrels of jet fuel for the US military, collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Britain, resulting in a fire and the release of fuel into the North Sea. This incident sparked concerns about the potential ecological impact and the risk of an environmental disaster. While jet fuel spills can have serious consequences, they are often less concerning than crude oil spills as jet fuel evaporates and biodegrades more quickly due to its smaller hydrocarbon molecules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can vessel oil tankers carry jet fuel? | Yes |
| Jet fuel spill impact | Less concerning than crude oil as it evaporates quickly, but still toxic and flammable |
| Jet fuel storage | Some traders opt for voyages up to 10 days longer to store jet fuel at sea |
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel is highly flammable and toxic
The flammability of jet fuel is due to its composition as a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and other volatile organic compounds. It has a high energy content, which makes it highly combustible. The flashpoint of jet fuel is typically below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it easily ignitable by a spark or flame. This low flashpoint contributes to its classification as a highly flammable liquid.
The toxic components of jet fuel include benzene, toluene, and xylene. While the concentration of these chemicals in jet fuel is generally low, exposure to the fumes or ingestion of large quantities can pose health risks. Benzene, for example, is a known carcinogen linked to cancer and other health issues. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals handling jet fuel, such as airline workers and ground crews, to wear protective gear and adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize the potential harm from exposure to jet fuel fumes.
In the case of a collision or spill, the flammability and toxicity of jet fuel can have severe consequences. For instance, in March 2025, a cargo ship collided with an oil tanker carrying jet fuel off the coast of Britain, resulting in a fire and multiple explosions. The accident led to fuel spilling into the North Sea, raising concerns about its potential ecological impact and triggering fears of an environmental disaster.
While jet fuel is highly flammable and toxic, it is important to note that its flammability is not as extreme as often depicted in Hollywood. Additionally, jet fuel typically evaporates more quickly than crude oil, reducing its persistence in the environment. Nevertheless, the toxic components and flammability of jet fuel underscore the critical importance of safety measures and emergency response protocols when dealing with this substance.
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Jet fuel evaporates quickly and degrades faster than crude oil
In March 2025, a US-flagged tanker carrying jet fuel collided with a cargo ship in the North Sea, causing both vessels to catch fire and spill fuel into the sea. The incident sparked fears of an environmental disaster, with particular concern for the nearby Bempton Cliffs, home to the UK's largest mainland seabird colony.
While the incident raised concerns about the ecological impact of the spill, Mark Hartl of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology at Scotland's Heriot-Watt University noted that the impact on the aquatic environment would be less severe than if the tanker had been carrying crude oil. This is because jet fuel evaporates much more quickly than crude oil.
Jet fuel has a high boiling point, which means that it will evaporate slowly. However, once it starts to evaporate, it will do so at a faster rate compared to crude oil. Warmer temperatures also speed up the biodegradation process of jet fuel.
The faster evaporation rate of jet fuel is due to its chemical composition. Jet fuel is a kerosene-type fuel, which is more volatile and has a lower boiling point than crude oil. As a result, jet fuel is more likely to evaporate and disperse into the atmosphere, reducing the potential for environmental contamination.
Additionally, jet fuel degrades faster than crude oil. According to Mark Sephton, a professor of organic geochemistry at Imperial College London, the rate of degradation depends on the introduction of fuel and the rate of destruction by bacteria. The warmer temperatures that occur during the biodegradation process further contribute to the faster degradation of jet fuel compared to crude oil.
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Oil tankers carry tens of thousands of tons of jet fuel
Oil tankers can carry tens of thousands of tons of jet fuel. For instance, the MV Stena Immaculate, a US-flagged tanker, was carrying about 18,000 tons of jet fuel, equivalent to about 142,000 barrels, when it collided with the Portugal-flagged container ship MV Solong off the coast of Britain in March 2025. The crash resulted in a massive fireball and an oil spill, raising concerns about a potential ecological disaster.
Oil tankers are essential for the transportation of large quantities of jet fuel, which is critical for aviation operations. These vessels are designed to safely carry and store vast amounts of jet fuel, ensuring a steady supply for the aviation industry. The Stena Immaculate, for instance, was part of the US government's Tanker Security Program, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
While the collision between the Stena Immaculate and the Solong resulted in a ruptured cargo tank and an oil spill, it is important to note that the impact on the environment may be less severe than initially feared. This is because jet fuel has smaller hydrocarbons that can be degraded by bacteria more quickly than larger molecules, such as those found in crude oil. Additionally, warmer temperatures can speed up the biodegradation process.
The Stena Immaculate's owner, Crowley Maritime, confirmed that the tanker was carrying Jet-A1 kerosene-type jet fuel at the time of the collision. Jet-A1 fuel has a high boiling point, which means it will evaporate slowly. However, it is also relatively toxic, posing a risk to marine life that comes into contact with it. The presence of toxins and fumes from the jet fuel and oil presented a challenging situation for rescue and salvage operations.
The incident in March 2025 highlights the critical role of oil tankers in carrying jet fuel while also underscoring the potential environmental risks associated with such operations. The collision and resulting fire and oil spill triggered a major rescue and salvage operation, with lifeboats, coast guard aircraft, and commercial vessels responding to the scene. While all crew members were accounted for, the incident sparked concerns about the ecological impact on the surrounding marine environment.
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A tanker carrying jet fuel recently caught fire after a collision
On March 10, 2025, a tanker carrying jet fuel collided with a cargo ship off the coast of eastern England, causing a fire and resulting in fuel spilling into the North Sea. The tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was a US-flagged ship carrying jet fuel for the US military. It collided with the Portugal-flagged cargo ship MV Solong in the Humber Estuary near Hull. The collision resulted in a massive fireball and the release of about 18,000 tonnes of fuel, or approximately 142,000 barrels, into the sea.
The Stena Immaculate was anchored near the port of Grimsby and had sailed from Greece, according to ship-tracking sites. The cargo ship was cruising at about 16 knots before the collision, and the impact caused a ruptured cargo tank on the tanker, leading to multiple explosions and fires on both vessels. The crash also sparked fears of an environmental disaster due to the fuel spill and the presence of sodium cyanide on the cargo ship.
A major rescue operation was undertaken by lifeboats, coast guard aircraft, and commercial vessels. All 37 crew members from both ships were accounted for, with one hospitalized. The search for a missing crew member from the cargo ship was eventually called off after an extensive search.
Despite the severity of the incident, there is some reassurance regarding the environmental impact. Experts note that jet fuel evaporates more quickly than crude oil, and warmer temperatures further speed up biodegradation. However, the presence of toxins in the jet fuel poses a risk to marine life. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the cause of the collision and assessing the extent of any ecological damage.
This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with shipping flammable and toxic materials, and the swift response of rescue and emergency services was crucial in ensuring the safety of the crew members involved. The investigation will provide further insights into the cause and impact of this collision.
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The US military uses tankers to transport jet fuel
The Stena Immaculate was operating as part of the US government's Tanker Security Program, which contracts commercial vessels to carry fuel for the military when required. The jet fuel on board the Stena Immaculate was intended for specific use by the US military and is compatible with most jet aircraft, helicopter turbine engines, turboprops, and compression-ignition piston engines.
The Sealift Command, a branch of the US military that oversees the transportation of fuel and other supplies, operates a fleet of around 125 civilian-crewed vessels to transport fuel globally. These tankers play a critical role in ensuring the US military has the necessary fuel for its aircraft and other operations.
The use of tankers for jet fuel transportation is not limited to ships, as the US military also employs aerial tankers for refuelling aircraft in flight. Aerial refuelling became a top priority for the US Air Force in 1948, and they have since utilised various aircraft, such as the KC-97 Stratofreighter and KA-3 Skywarrior, for this purpose. These aerial tankers provide crucial support to military aircraft, enabling them to extend their range and endurance during missions.
While the collision between the Stena Immaculate and the cargo ship resulted in a significant release of jet fuel into the sea, experts note that the environmental impact may be less severe than initially feared. Jet fuel has a high boiling point, causing it to evaporate slowly, and it also disintegrates more rapidly than crude oil, particularly in warmer temperatures. However, jet fuel is highly toxic to marine life, and the spill has raised concerns about potential ecological damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, vessel oil tankers can carry jet fuel. In fact, in March 2025, a US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, carrying jet fuel collided with a cargo ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Britain.
A vessel oil tanker carrying jet fuel poses a risk of fire and explosion due to the fuel's flammability and the presence of fumes and toxins. In the event of a collision, there may also be concerns about the environmental impact of a jet fuel spill.
If a vessel oil tanker carrying jet fuel catches fire, it can result in a blaze and multiple explosions, as seen in the MV Stena Immaculate incident. The fire and explosions can cause both vessels to be engulfed in flames, requiring a major rescue and firefighting operation.
