New concerns have emerged about the security of the main waterway and outer anchorage of the Chittagong port, known as the ‘lifeline’ of the country’s economy. The collision of four mother vessels at the Alpha anchorage of the outer anchorage in a span of 36 hours, the robbery of several foreign ships in the past month, and the illegal fishing of fishermen in the waterway have made this important sea route vulnerable. Those concerned say that if the situation does not improve quickly, it could have a negative impact on the country’s maritime trade, supply system and national economy.
Port sources said that a series of accidents and safety incidents have been taking place on the 62 nautical mile long navigational route from Patenga to Kutubdia in recent times. Despite the coordinated efforts of the Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard and Port Authority, the situation has not improved as desired. As a result, insecurity has been created among foreign ships as well as domestic lighter ship owners and sailors.
Last Saturday night, while anchoring at Alpha Anchorage, the cement raw material ship MV Anassa rammed the previously anchored MV Jahan, damaging the exterior of the Anassa.
The previous day, on Friday, diesel tanker MT Sea Spike collided with bulk carrier MV Sunshine anchored at the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port. The tanker carrying about 33,000 metric tons of diesel lost control due to strong currents and hit Sunshine. This caused a crack in the engine room of Sea Spike, causing water to enter and causing a temporary power outage. Earlier, on August 3, container ship MV CNC Uranus lost control while navigating in the channel and hit the red buoy number 2 and got stuck in the retaining wall. The ship’s authorities claimed mechanical failure as the cause of the accident.
Questions about the cause of the accident
Khairul Alam Sujan, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, said, “Shipping or anchoring at the port is a complex and disciplined maritime process. Piloting is required to safely take the ship to the jetty, berth or outer anchorage.”
Special precautions are required when berthing and docking. This caution is especially important during rain, strong winds, and strong currents.
He said, accidents can also occur due to errors in the loading of ships, mechanical problems or any other fault. However, when an accident occurs, the port authority forms its own investigation committee. In many cases, the real cause of the accident is not revealed. If an investigation is conducted by an impartial organization, the accident can be solved.
It will be possible to identify the real cause.
According to him, repeated accidents at ports cause delays and bottlenecks in the unloading of goods. As a result, imported raw materials cannot reach factories on time and it becomes difficult to export finished goods on time. This causes a major disruption to the entire supply chain and the national economy.
Three ship robberies in one month
Not only accidents, but also concerns are growing about the security of the outer anchorage of Chittagong Port. In the past month, three foreign-flagged commercial ships have been robbed at the outer anchorage. In these incidents, parts, ship equipment and valuables worth crores of taka were looted.
The latest attack on the Sierra Leone-flagged tanker Tai Shuen, anchored at Charlie Anchorage in the early hours of July 16, was carried out by about 20 armed robbers in five wooden boats. The ship was being brought from Hong Kong to the Janata Steel shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda for dismantling.
Amirul Haque, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has written a letter to the Shipping Minister, urging him to take urgent measures to strengthen security at the outer anchorage following the ship robbery.
Businessmen fear that if the situation is not brought under control quickly, the international reputation of Chittagong Port, foreign trade, and the country’s investment environment may be damaged.
Lighter ship obstructed by illegal nets
Another type of risk has also arisen in the important navigation channel of Chittagong Port. There are allegations that local fishermen are fishing in various waterways from Patenga Fishermen’s Village to Bhasan Char to catch ‘bindi nets’. These nets are obstructing the movement of various vessels, including lighter ships.
Sailors are particularly at risk when nets get entangled in the ship’s propeller. In this situation, the Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union has demanded the removal of all illegal nets from the waterway by August 17. The organization has also warned that it will stop shipping if the nets are not removed within the stipulated time.
Afsar Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union, said that although casting nets in designated channels for boat traffic is prohibited, fishermen are ignoring it and fishing regularly. This is disrupting boat traffic and increasing the risk of accidents.
He said, “When the net gets stuck in the ship’s propeller, fishermen often organize and attack the sailors. There have even been cases of damaging the ship by throwing stones. There have also been cases of the master and helmsman of two ships being kidnapped in the Bhasanchar area. They were later rescued with the help of local people.”
Accident due to ‘natural causes’
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Kefayet Hamim said, “The recent accidents seem to have occurred primarily due to natural causes. Ships are losing control due to strong river currents and are prone to accidents. Separate investigation committees have been formed for each incident. Other causes of the accidents will also be known after receiving the investigation report.”
He said that regular monitoring is being carried out by the Coast Guard and the Navy to ensure the overall security of the port. In addition, operations are also ongoing against illegal nets set by local fishermen.
