Bulk carrier 'hits coal-laden vessel' near Kutubdia, owner claims 'total damage'
Port authorities say two bulk carriers were involved in a minor collision, while the owner of a coal-carrying vessel says his ship was hit and badly damaged.
The owner of a coal-carrying handysize vessel has claimed that a bulk carrier hit the vessel near Kutubdia in the Bay of Bengal this morning (29 September), leaving it extensively damaged, while port authorities gave a different account of the incident.
The incident reportedly occurred around 9am when MV HG Sydney, IMO No 9530670, was manoeuvring towards the Kutubdia Alpha Anchorage, according to vessel operators and a complaint filed by the owner of MV Sani-5.
Earlier, the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) reported that MV HG Sydney had made minor contact with another bulk carrier, MV APJ Shirin, around 8:30am while manoeuvring towards the anchorage.
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Both vessels reported the incident to VTMIS and subsequently stabilised their positions. An initial assessment of damage to HG Sydney's port-side hull was underway, with the relevant ship agents notified, according to CPA Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim.
The owner of Sani-5, however, gave a different account of the incident in a letter to Litmond Shipping Ltd.
In the letter, owner Jamal Hossain alleged that HG Sydney struck the front section of Sani-5 with considerable force, damaging the lighter vessel's superstructure from its lower section to the upper deck.
Sani-5 was carrying coal belonging to QNS Shipping Logistics Ltd and was scheduled to transport the cargo from Kutubdia to Payra, according to the letter.
Jamal claimed that the vessel had recently been docked and was making its first trip after loading when the collision occurred.
Hossain Enterprise requested a joint survey to determine the extent of the damage and described the vessel as having suffered "total damage". It also sought necessary action for compensation.
Copies of the letter were sent to QNS Shipping Logistics Ltd and other concerned parties.
The initial VTMIS report said both vessels remained in safe positions following the incident. There were no reports of casualties or marine pollution.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Chittagong Port Harbour Master Captain Zahirul Islam said that the VTMIS report showed two mother vessels had collided at the Kutubdia anchorage and that the port had no information about any lighter vessel being damaged in the collision.
The extent of the damage and responsibility for the incident remain to be determined through the damage assessment and joint survey.
