Why in News? 

• A fuel tanker transporting fuel for the U.S. military collided with a cargo ship and caught fire in the North Sea, near Britain. 
• The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety and potential environmental hazards in the region. 

About the North Sea 

• Geographical Location: A shallow, enclosed sea situated in Northwestern Europe. 
• The Kiel Canal: Among the world’s busiest artificial waterways, linking the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. 
• Countries Along the North Sea:  
  • United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. 
• Major Rivers Flowing into the North Sea:  
  • Elbe, Weser, Rhine, Thames, among others. 
• Key Ports:  
  • Hamburg (Germany) and Rotterdam (Netherlands), two of Europe’s busiest ports. 
• Brent Crude Oil:  
  • A significant type of North Sea oil, widely used as a global oil price benchmark. 

Importance of the North Sea 

• Serves as a critical trade route for shipping and energy transportation. 
• Brent crude oil from the North Sea plays a key role in setting global oil prices. 
• The Kiel Canal enhances trade by providing a crucial passage for European and international commerce.