Why was such a large ship brought into port with a faulty steering system?

Two major technical defects were detected in the foreign container vessel CNC Uranus on July 30. The defects were identified in a survey conducted by an international classification organization before the vessel left Singapore for Chattogram.

The shipowner was advised to notify the authorities about the defects before entering the next port. The organization also issued a special instruction to have the defects repaired to ensure the vessel could operate safely.

The accident occurred while the vessel was berthing at the Chattogram Port jetty without notifying Chattogram Port and the Department of Shipping.

It was precisely because of the warning that had been issued that the vessel lost control after reaching the entrance to Chattogram Port. After losing control, the vessel struck a navigation buoy with great force and eventually drifted and became immobilized after getting stuck against a retaining wall beside a naval installation. The country narrowly avoided an accident that could have brought Chattogram Port to a standstill. Through a joint effort by the port authority, the Navy and the Coast Guard, the vessel was rescued about 12 hours later.

The vessel first stopped at Singapore Port after departing from Shiko Port in China. It then left Singapore for Chattogram carrying 1,282 import containers. Before the voyage began, the international classification society DNV surveyed the vessel on July 30. The survey report clearly states that during a deck and engine inspection in Singapore, a malfunction in the steering gear hydraulic lock alarm system was identified. At that time, under international maritime law and technical notices, the vessel was required to inform the local pilot and port authority at every port it would visit about the mechanical defect. However, the vessel’s crew or representatives concealed the information from the port authority before entering Chattogram Port. Even when the vessel was approaching from the outer anchorage to berth at Chattogram Port jetty on Monday, the shipping agent did not inform the authorities.

To find out why the shipping agent concealed the information, comments were sought from Enamul Haque Titu, head of the Chattogram branch of American President Lines (APL), the vessel’s shipping agent, by phone calls and messages. However, he did not respond, so his comments could not be obtained.

Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of the Merchant Marine Officers Association, said that if the hydraulic lock alarm of a vessel is not functioning and the steering actually becomes ‘locked’ while the vessel is sailing, the navigation officer or captain on the bridge may not immediately know about it. As a result, before the vessel’s operator realizes what has happened, the vessel could lose direction and strike a channel, jetty or another vessel with great force, potentially causing a major accident.

After becoming immobilized and getting stuck on a shoal, the vessel was rescued Monday night and towed under special arrangements to Bravo Anchorage at sea. APL, the vessel’s operating authority, submitted a written application stating that CNC Uranus was now operational. Following the company’s request, the authorities allowed the vessel to be brought to the jetty on Wednesday. At 3 pm, three senior port pilots were sent aboard the vessel. The vessel’s anchor was raised. Before taking the vessel into the port, the port pilots detected the defect and asked the captain for the survey report. Initially, the ship’s captain refused to provide the report. After receiving the report, the pilots were stunned. The same problem that caused the accident had been identified in the survey report on July 30. The pilots informed the port authorities of the matter from the vessel. They then got off the vessel after stating that they were unable to operate it.

Calls were made to the port pilots to learn more about these issues. However, they did not respond to phone calls, so their comments could not be obtained.

Chattogram Port Member for Harbor and Marine Commodore Ahmed Amin Abdullah said the vessel’s entry into the jetty has been suspended for now. A two-member committee has been formed. Further action will be taken after the committee’s investigation report is received.

On Monday, the vessel’s steering failed at a location where, had it sunk, the entrance route to the port would have been blocked. The lifeline of Chattogram Port, which handles 92 percent of the country’s import and export goods, could have been brought to a standstill.

Despite knowing about such a major risk, the shipping agent attempted to berth the vessel at the port while it was carrying goods worth several thousand crore taka. On Thursday, the agent was lobbying in various departments of the port to obtain permission for the vessel to berth. It was also using political influence from its affiliated party.

Under the Chattogram Port Authority Act, 2022, strict legal action and financial penalties can be imposed against the shipping line, master of the vessel or shipping agent if mechanical defects are concealed and the vessel enters the port dangerously and causes an accident. Depending on the severity of the offense, the master of the vessel, signal team or officials responsible for the shipping line may face up to six months in prison. Subject to a case being filed in a judicial court, fines of up to Tk 5 lakh to Tk 50 lakh may be imposed. Permission for the vessel to reenter the port may also be suspended or canceled for violating legal restrictions. If any buoy, lighthouse, jetty or channel retaining wall is damaged during an accident, the authorities may determine the extent of the damage through a survey and seek full compensation separately.

The Department of Shipping can take action against the vessel’s shipping agent for entering without providing the required information. It can also detain the vessel. However, whether Chattogram Port will take strict action against these influential shipping agents remains to be seen.

When asked about the matter, Principal Officer of the Department of Shipping Captain Sheikh Jalal Uddin Gazi said that concealing information and attempting to put the country’s main seaport at risk is a serious offense. The investigation committee is working to determine why the incident occurred and whether any damage was caused to port infrastructure. Legal action will be taken after the report is received.