Fire at Chattogram Port NCT Damages Crane and Containers; Probe Formed

A fire at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port on Monday afternoon damaged a Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane and two containers. Authorities have formed a committee to investigate the incident.

The blaze began around 2:30pm in the engine of RTG 4014 at Berth No. 4, temporarily halting container handling at the jetty. Port firefighters, joined by the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence and the Bangladesh Navy, brought the flames under control by 3:15pm. Safety clearances were issued shortly after, and operations resumed at 3:30pm.

Chattogram Port Acting Secretary Nasir Uddin confirmed the swift emergency response, stating, "The overall situation is now normal, and terminal operations have resumed."

The fire damaged the crane and two adjacent containers. One container held refrigerators, 11 of which were destroyed. No casualties were reported.

The newly formed investigation committee has been directed to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the financial losses. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports suggest the fire started in the crane's engine compartment.

Despite the brief suspension, port officials stated the incident did not significantly disrupt daily cargo operations at NCT, the country's busiest container facility.