Concern over shipment as cargo vessel seized at port

CHITTAGONG, May 23: A foreign container vessel that was seized with 1,109 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of export cargoes has been lying at the Chittagong port for over a week.

The exporters have expressed concern that it might cause substantial financial losses to them.

They have also expressed concern about timely shipment of their cargoes following the nearly two weeks of the container vessel's stay at the port.

They said the process of assessing the extent of damage and the release of the vessel should not have taken so much time as the vessel was carrying perishable goods and readymade garments (RMG).

MV Star of Luck, a Panama flag vessel under the management of Victoria Ocean Way Ltd of Greece, has been staying at the port with the export cargoes since May 11. It has been seized, as it has dashed the NCT (New Mooring Container Terminal) jetty-4 at around 9:00 am on the day while leaving the port for the USA and European countries.

While taking a turn in the Karnaphuli river channel near the Bangladesh Navy installation the container vessel dashed the concrete jetty causing damage to it spanning 10 feet. It has also caused cracks in another 65-ft area of the jetty.

The CPA constituted a seven-member committee to assess the damage caused to the port jetty with Captain Zulfiquer Aziz as its head. Another investigation committee has been constituted by the Mercantile Marine Department with Nautical Surveyor of the MMD Captain Foisal Azim as its chief.