Liberia-flagged bulk carrier collides with anchored vessel at Chattogram Port anchorage

A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, Anassa, carrying around 35,350 tonnes of slag collided with a Bangladesh-flagged vessel, MV Zahab Jahan, anchored at Chattogram Port’s Alpha Anchorage early today (16 August), days after an oil tanker collided with another anchored bulk carrier. 

The incident occurred at around 12:35am on 16 August when MV Anassa, carrying slag cargo and 21 crew members, was entering the Alpha Anchorage amid strong currents, according to Syed Refayet Hamim, secretary and spokesperson of Ctg Port Authority.

“Due to strong currents at the Alpha Anchorage, the entering bulk carrier MV Anassa collided with the forward section of the anchored MV Zahab Jahan,” Syed Refayet Hamim said in a statement.

“There were no casualties, water ingress or environmental pollution. Immediately after the incident, both vessels safely separated and anchored again,” he said.

The port authority said all 21 crew members aboard the two vessels were safe and navigation at the port was continuing normally after the incident.

Anassa’s main engine, steering gear and various pumps were also checked and found operational, while its emergency systems remained functional, according to the authority.

Earlier on Friday, an oil tanker carrying around 33,000 tonnes of diesel collided with another anchored bulk carrier in the waters of Ctg port.

The collision caused a crack of about one square metre on one side of the oil tanker’s engine room, allowing water to enter. The vessel also experienced a temporary power outage. However, the cargo tanks containing diesel remain intact.