Grounded container vessel refloated near Karnaphuli channel, Ctg Port operations remain normal

A container vessel that ran aground after a steering failure while entering the Karnaphuli River channel was refloated overnight, with Chattogram Port maintaining normal operations, port authorities said.

The Malta-flagged MV CNC Uranus was moved to Bravo (B) Anchorage after a joint rescue operation by the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Coast Guard.

The 170-metre vessel, built in 2017, developed a steering failure while entering the river channel yesterday around 2:15pm, struck No 2 Red Buoy and ran aground near the river mouth.

The vessel had arrived from China's Shikou Port carrying 1,282 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo and a crew of 24. APL (Bangladesh) is its local agent.

CPA Secretary Sayed Refayet Hamim said a coordinated rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident.

The operation involved CPA tugboats Kandari-2, Kandari-4, Kandari-6 and Kandari-11, Bangladesh Navy tugboat Shibsa, a tunnel tugboat, Bangladesh Coast Guard tugboat Promotto, senior port pilots, and Navy and Coast Guard personnel.

Rescue teams worked overnight to free the vessel, while port authorities also prepared a contingency plan to unload some containers to reduce its draft if needed.

The vessel was refloated late at night and moved to Bravo Anchorage. The CPA said the navigation channel remained fully operational during the rescue, with no disruption to vessel movements or any casualties.

The port authority thanked its pilots, tug crews, marine department personnel, and the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard for the successful operation.

Chattogram Port handles about 92% of Bangladesh's seaborne import and export trade.

The CPA said the swift rescue demonstrated Chattogram Port's emergency preparedness and operational capability.