4 ships wash ashore in Chattogram amid rough weather

Four lighter vessels, including coal and LPG carriers, anchored at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port were washed ashore along the coast of Chattogram late Thursday night following high tides and stormy weather. 

Two ships ran aground near Gahira in Anwara upazila, while two others stranded along the Patenga coastline. The vessels stranded in Anwara's Raipur union – tugboat Nafimar-3 and large coal-carrying barge Mermaid-3 – were swept ashore by powerful tidal surges. 

Nearly two years ago, the barge had transported large stones from India for the SS Power Plant construction in Banshkhali. Since then, ownership disputes and unpaid bills have left the vessel abandoned offshore. 

According to local shipping company Vision Shipping, which represents the vessels locally, the owners failed to pay for tugboat fuel and other operational costs. At least five legal cases have been filed, and due to unresolved disputes, the vessels remained idle until Thursday's storm pushed them ashore.

Two of the ships ran aground near Gahira in Anwara upazila, while two others became stranded along the Patenga coastline. Photos: Collected

"The owners have been unresponsive for months," said a Vision Shipping representative. "Despite no payment, we have maintained four watchmen to guard the vessels around the clock."

A watchman, Miskatur Rahman, said, "The sea became extremely rough, and we lost control as the vessels were pushed toward the shore."

Meanwhile, two other ships – MV Al-Herem and B-LPG Sufia – were also driven ashore near Patenga beach. B-LPG Sufia, damaged in an LPG transfer explosion last October, remains in a vulnerable state.

No immediate salvage operations have been confirmed. Captain Zahirul Islam, the acting harbour master of Chattogram Port Authority, did not respond to TBS's phone calls for comment.

Shipping experts warn of potential environmental hazards and navigational risks if the grounded vessels are not removed soon.