Oil tanker cracked in Ctg Port collision

An oil tanker carrying around 33,000 metric tonnes of diesel collided with an anchored bulk carrier in Chattogram Port waters on Friday, leaving the tanker with a crack near its engine room.

The Chattogram Port Authority said in an urgent notice issued Friday evening that the accident occurred at around 12:25pm when the oil tanker MT Sea Spike collided with the anchored bulk carrier MV Sun Shine.

The impact caused a rupture of about one square metre on the port side, aft of the tanker’s engine room. Water entered through the damaged section, resulting in a temporary power failure.

However, the vessel’s cargo tanks remained intact and no diesel leaked into the sea, the port authority said.

Preliminary assessments suggest strong currents may have caused the tanker to lose control, leading to the collision. The exact cause will be determined through an investigation.

Following the accident, emergency batteries were used to keep the vessel’s radio communication system operational. Two anchors were also deployed to stabilise the tanker.

Port authorities said tidal calculations indicated that the vessel should remain safely afloat even during low tide.

Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard joined the port authority in rescue and support operations following the incident.

The port’s tugboat Kandari-8 was also deployed at the scene.
Hamim said shipping agent Pride Shipping had been instructed to expedite the unloading of diesel from the tanker. A salvage company has also been asked to repair the damaged section and assist with the vessel’s recovery.

The port authority remains in constant contact with the ship’s master.
Officials said the situation is under control and vessel movement through the Chattogram Port channel has not been disrupted.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Jahidul Islam Miah said the administration was occupied with another emergency in Sitakunda, where toxic gas reportedly leaked from a scrap vessel at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Bhatiari Union.

He said eight deaths had been reported in that incident, with several others injured, and that officials were therefore unable to immediately comment on the collision at Chattogram Port.