Three Ships Damaged in Two Collisions at Chittagong Port
Three vessels were damaged in two separate ship collisions near Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port on September 29, highlighting the importance of maritime safety and safe shipping operations in busy anchorage areas.
The first maritime collision occurred at about 8:30 a.m. at Kutubdia anchorage between the Panama-flagged bulk carrier MV APJ Shirin and Liberia-flagged MV HG Sydney. A second collision took place around 11:30 a.m. at the Alpha Anchorage area of Chittagong Port’s outer anchorage.
Collision Between Two Bulk Carriers
MV APJ Shirin had arrived from Indonesia about a week earlier carrying around 55,000 tonnes of coal. The vessel was anchored at Kutubdia, with the lighter vessel MV Sani-5 alongside to take the coal.
MV HG Sydney was carrying about 51,000 tonnes of soybeans from Brazil. It was moving toward the anchorage after weighing anchor when it came close to APJ Shirin.
According to Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) officials and shipping agents, HG Sydney struck the side of APJ Shirin. MV Sani-5 was between the two bulk carriers when the contact occurred.
Belayet Hossain, director of Litmond Shipping, the local agent for HG Sydney, said Sani-5 was empty and moved away immediately after the impact. He said the lighter therefore did not remain trapped between the two bulk carriers.
Hossain said HG Sydney suffered slight damage to its port hull.
CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said both foreign vessels were in safe positions after the incident. He also said there were no casualties or pollution.
The CPA’s Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) recorded the incident as minor contact between HG Sydney and APJ Shirin while HG Sydney was manoeuvring toward the Kutubdia Alpha Anchorage.
Both vessels reported the incident to VTMIS and later secured their positions. An inspection was started to assess possible damage to the port side of HG Sydney, and local representatives of the vessels were informed.
Lighter Owner Reports Significant Damage
The owner of MV Sani-5 gave a different account of the incident.
In a letter to Litmond Shipping, owner Jamal Hossain alleged that HG Sydney hit the front section of Sani-5 with considerable force. He said the collision damaged the lighter’s superstructure from the lower section up to the upper deck.
Sani-5 was carrying coal belonging to QNS Shipping Logistics. According to the letter, the vessel was due to transport the coal from Kutubdia to Payra.
Hossain said Sani-5 had recently been docked and was making its first trip after loading when the collision occurred.
Hossain Enterprise requested a joint survey to assess the damage and called for action regarding compensation. The company described the vessel as having suffered “total damage”.
Copies of the letter were sent to QNS Shipping Logistics and other concerned parties.
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Second Collision at Chittagong Port Anchorage
The second ship collision occurred around 11:30 a.m. at the Alpha Anchorage area of Chittagong Port’s outer anchorage.
CPA officials said Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier MV Akij Wave dragged its anchor because of a strong current.
The crew attempted to control the vessel, but it was unable to maintain its position and came into contact with bulk carrier MV Sea Alison.
Maritime Safety and Port Operations
The two incidents underline the importance of maritime safety, vessel traffic monitoring and careful anchorage management during commercial shipping operations.
In the first incident, VTMIS recorded the contact between HG Sydney and APJ Shirin as minor, while the owner of Sani-5 reported substantial damage to the lighter. A joint survey requested by Hossain Enterprise could help establish the extent of damage to Sani-5.
The second incident was attributed by CPA officials to MV Akij Wave dragging anchor in a strong current. The supplied report does not provide further details about the extent of damage involving MV Sea Alison.
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