Two bulk carriers collided at Alpha Anchorage of Chattogram Port around midnight on Saturday, a day after another collision involving an oil tanker and a bulk carrier at the port’s outer anchorage.
The incident occurred around 12:30am when the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Anassa, carrying around 35,350 tonnes of slag, collided with the anchored Bangladeshi-flagged MV Zahab Jahan.
Following the collision, both vessels moved away from each other and anchored at a safe distance. The starboard-side structure of the Anassa was damaged in the incident.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary and spokesperson Syed Refayet Hamim said the Anassa was entering Alpha Anchorage amid strong currents when it slightly struck the forward section of the anchored Zahab Jahan.
“There were no casualties, water entry or environmental pollution,” he said.
According to the port authority, all 21 crew members aboard the two vessels are safe. Navigation in the area has also returned to normal.
The Zahab Jahan, built in 2000, is 190 metres long. The Anassa was built in 2011 by Iwagi Shipbuilding in Japan. The Liberian-flagged vessel was previously known as Neo Beachwood and IVS Beachwood.
The port authority said the cause of the collision will be investigated, including the vessels’ positions and speeds, prevailing current conditions and pilotage-related issues.
CPA’s tugs Kandari-8 and BLV Lusai were deployed at the scene to provide assistance following the accident.
The latest collision came a day after another vessel accident at Chattogram Port.
On the afternoon of 14 August, oil tanker MT Sea Spike, carrying around 33,000 tonnes of diesel, collided with the anchored bulk carrier MV Sunshine. No oil spill was reported in that incident.
