Arrested master of burning North Sea container ship identified as Russian national

The master of the feedermax arrested after a fiery collision with a laden tanker in the North Sea is a Russian national, shipowner Ernst Russ confirmed Wednesday.

The 59-year-old is in custody on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the Portuguese-flagged 804-teu Solong (built 2005) ploughed into a Stena Bulk tanker, with a cargo of US military jet fuel.

Peter Dohle, major shareholder in owner of the stricken Solong, is ordering more container ships

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Thirty-six seafarers were taken from the two vessels, but a member of the Solong crew is presumed dead after searches were called off.