Theft and petty piracy targeting foreign vessels at the Charlie Anchorage area of Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage are on the rise, raising fresh concerns over maritime security at the country’s busiest seaport.
The latest incident occurred at around 1am on Wednesday, when an organised gang of thieves boarded a Sierra Leone-flagged tanker and made away with valuable equipment while the vessel was anchoring. Shipping agents say it was the third such incident involving vessels at Charlie Anchorage within the past month.
According to port sources, the tanker TAI SHUEN, a liquid bulk carrier built in 1992, arrived from Hong Kong at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on the night of July 15. The vessel had been brought to SH Enterprises’ shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda to be dismantled for scrap.
Mosharraf Hossain, owner of the vessel’s local shipping agent Benline Shipping, told the Times of Bangladesh that the thieves struck while the crew was busy dropping anchor.
“Within minutes, around 20 people arrived in four or five wooden boats and boarded the vessel,” he said. “One group distracted the crew and obstructed the anchoring operation, while another removed expensive ropes, batteries and other valuable equipment from the deck.”
The Indonesian captain immediately alerted the Chattogram Port Authority through radio control. The Coast Guard, responsible for security in the area, was subsequently informed, but the thieves had already fled before patrol personnel reached the scene.
Describing the growing security threat, Mosharraf said the incidents may appear minor but have serious implications for shipping operations.
“These vessels weigh around 3,000 tonnes, yet such acts of piracy are becoming increasingly common. The perpetrators remain near anchored ships disguised as fishermen. As soon as they find an opportunity, they board the vessels, steal valuable equipment and disappear,” he said.
He added, “In the past month alone, three vessels have been targeted at Charlie Anchorage. Sailors, shipowners and shipping agents are all deeply concerned.”
Shipping industry insiders warned that repeated thefts at the outer anchorage could undermine confidence among international shipowners and damage the reputation of Chittagong Port. They urged the Bangladesh Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies to intensify patrols and take immediate action against organised theft gangs operating in the anchorage area.
Deputy Conservator of the Chattogram Port Authority Capt. Zahirul Islam told the Times of Bangladesh that the master of TAI SHUEN reported that people from four fishing trawlers attempted to board the vessel while it was anchoring.
“We immediately informed the Coast Guard, and they responded to the location. The Coast Guard will be able to provide details of what happened afterwards,” he said.
However, Capt. Zahirul said he was “not aware” of the reported three theft incidents involving ships at Charlie Anchorage over the past month.
Repeated attempts to contact Bangladesh Coast Guard Eastern Region spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan for comment were unsuccessful. He neither answered phone calls nor responded to a WhatsApp text message.
