Several vessel and ship recycling incidents have recently occurred in and around Chattogram Port, Bangladesh. Between August 14 and 16, two merchant vessel collisions occurred at the same outer anchorage, while a separate ship recycling accident killed nine workers and injured several others. A vessel also ran aground while entering the port in early August. The series of incidents within a short period has renewed concerns over vessel movements and operational safety in the port area.

Key Highlights 

• Two collisions within 48 hours: Both occurred at Alpha Anchorage. 

• Five merchant vessels involved in recent incidents: The vessels included a tanker and several bulk carriers. 

• Nine deaths in ship recycling accident: The accident involved toxic gas. 

• Recent grounding: CNC URANUS suffered a steering gear failure and ran aground while entering the port. 

• Independent investigation requested: BELA has called for an independent investigation and the immediate suspension of operations at the recycling facility.

Two Collisions Occur at the Same Anchorage Within Two Days

At around noon on August 14, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker MT Sea Spike collided with the anchored bulk carrier MV Sun Shine while attempting to anchor at Chattogram Port’s Alpha Anchorage. The local port authority initially indicated that strong currents may have caused Sea Spike to lose maneuverability.

The collision damaged the aft engine-room area on Sea Spike’s port side and allowed seawater to enter the engine room. However, the cargo oil tanks remained intact, and no oil spill was reported. Port tugs, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Coast Guard subsequently joined the response.

Less than 48 hours later, another collision occurred at the same anchorage in the early hours of August 16. The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Anassa made contact with the anchored Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier MV Zahab Jahan while entering the anchorage and preparing to anchor. No casualties, water ingress, or environmental pollution were reported, and both vessels were subsequently re-anchored.

△Anassa

Nine Workers Killed in Ship Recycling Accident

A serious accident also occurred on August 14 in the Sitakunda ship recycling area near Chattogram. Nine workers were killed and several others injured in a toxic gas incident involving Rasi, an LNG carrier undergoing dismantling at the Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries facility.

Available information indicates that the incident involved hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Following the accident, the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board suspended all operations at the facility. The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) also issued a legal notice calling for an independent investigation and the immediate suspension of Ferdous Steel’s operations.

Ferdous Steel holds certification related to the requirements of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. The accident has raised further concerns over the implementation of ship recycling safety standards.

Other Recent Incidents Have Also Occurred

Over a longer period, Chattogram has also recorded a recent vessel grounding. On August 3, CNC URANUS, part of CMA CGM’s fleet, suffered a steering gear failure and ran aground in the port’s entrance channel. On August 11, the Bangladesh port authority imposed a fine of BDT 100 million on the vessel’s master and agent, along with BDT 15 million in VAT.

From anchorage collisions and an inbound vessel grounding to a ship recycling accident, Chattogram and its surrounding areas have recently experienced several different types of safety incidents. Although these events do not indicate that overall port operations have been disrupted, their frequency warrants attention from the shipping and logistics markets.

Possible Schedule Changes Require Attention for Chattogram Shipments

Chattogram Port is an important gateway for Bangladesh’s international trade and container shipping. Freight forwarders and trading companies currently arranging shipments through the port should closely monitor vessel arrivals, anchorage waiting times, and any schedule adjustments resulting from the accident investigations.

For cargo that has already been booked or is approaching its scheduled departure, companies should promptly confirm the latest carrier notices, estimated berthing times, and subsequent cargo pickup arrangements. If the port introduces stricter vessel inspections or changes its operating requirements, vessel entry times could also be affected.

The specific causes of the incidents remain under investigation. Any new port safety measures or schedule changes will depend on further official information.

Sources 

Bangladesh port authorities, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, and publicly available industry information 

Disclaimer 

This article has been compiled from publicly available information and is provided solely for industry reference. Please refer to the latest official information for specific details.