Repeated Ship Accidents at Chattogram Port Raise Safety Concerns

At least five ship collisions have occurred in the outer anchorage and channel of Chattogram Port over the past two weeks, raising concerns about maritime safety at one of Bangladesh’s busiest ports.

Officials and maritime experts point to several factors behind the recent accidents, including strong currents and winds, difficult weather conditions, limited navigational knowledge among some foreign and new crews, inadequate anchoring practices and congestion in anchorage areas.

Last week, the 33,000-ton diesel tanker MT C Spike collided with the grain carrier MV Sun Shine, damaging the tanker’s engine room and causing a complete blackout.

Soon afterward, CNC Uranus lost its steering gear near the port entrance. In another incident, the slag carrier MV Anassa lost control in a strong current and collided with a nearby vessel.

Several other collisions involving commercial and lighter vessels have also been reported in recent weeks, prompting questions about the safety of the Bay of Bengal approach to Chattogram Port.

Commander Md. Obaidur Rahman, chief hydrographer of the Chattogram Port Authority, said the port’s marine department had identified rough conditions at the harbor mouth and outer anchorage as a major factor behind the recent accidents.

He said the Bay of Bengal has experienced unusually strong southwest monsoon conditions in recent months. Combined with tidal effects and strong currents, the conditions can make it difficult for vessels to remain securely anchored and for coastal vessels to load and unload cargo.

Port specialist and berthing master Capt. Anam Chowdhury said reduced navigable depth in the outer anchorage, limited familiarity with the main channel among some new and foreign crews, and improper anchoring procedures were contributing to the accidents.

He said water depth in the Alpha Anchorage is about 12 to 13 meters, while vessels entering the area typically have drafts of 10 to 11 meters. A vessel generally needs sufficient under-keel clearance to operate safely, but the limited clearance can increase risks, particularly during strong winds and currents.

He also said stronger winds around the full and new moons can cause anchors to drag. The Alpha, Bravo and Charlie anchorage areas are relatively small and often crowded with vessels, making maneuvering more difficult.

Masters of lighter vessels said an imbalance between a vessel’s weight and its anchor capacity was another contributing factor. A shortage of experienced crew members is also increasing the risk of accidents, they said.

Experts warn that the risk of a major accident in the port channel could increase unless authorities address navigability problems, modernize lighter vessels and ensure that ships are piloted by experienced masters familiar with local conditions.