The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has fined the master and shipping agent of the container vessel MV CNC Uranus Tk1 crore for allegedly concealing information about a steering gear defect before the vessel entered the port.
The authority has also imposed 15 percent VAT amounting to Tk1.5 million on the fine, bringing the total amount payable to Tk1.15 crore, according to a CPA order issued on Monday.
The order, signed by Captain Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Harbor Master of the CPA, said the vessel’s steering gear defect was not disclosed in the information sheet provided to pilots in accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code when the vessel entered the port for berthing on 3 August.
However, shortly before the vessel entered the port channel, its master informed the pilots about the defect and handed over a certificate issued by DNV Class, according to the order.
The CPA said operating a vessel without informing the pilots about its defects and the restrictions imposed because of those defects could pose a serious risk to the safety of the port, the vessel, pilots, port facilities and other ships.
Considering the potential safety risks, the authority imposed the Tk1 crore fine on the master and shipping agent and ordered the amount, along with the applicable VAT, to be deposited into the port fund immediately.
The incident occurred on 5 August when MV CNC Uranus lost control due to a steering system malfunction while entering the Chittagong Port channel. The vessel subsequently hit a navigation buoy and a retaining wall before becoming stuck in the channel.
A rescue operation was conducted throughout the night, following which the vessel was safely removed and taken to a secure anchorage.
