Bangladesh News

Vessel movement in Chittagong port resumed in full swing from yesterday morning.

Sources in Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) said the main channel between Red and Green buoy at the Karnaphuli estuary has been dredged wide. However, for incoming movement of vessels the authority had to wait till yesterday morning as an extra precaution, sources said.

Nine vessels from the outer anchorage entered the port during high tide around 9:00am– around 60 hours after the vessel movement had been suspended as cement-clinker laden vessel Seven Circles-25 sunk at the Karnaphuli estuary Tuesday.

Shipping Minister Afsarul Amin visited the port as well as the outer anchorage area and witnessed incoming vessels in the morning. He expressed satisfaction over the salvage operation by the three local teams.

Regarding the progress of the salvage activities CPA Member (Harbour and Marine) Captain S Arif Mahmud said, “The salvage teams are now fixing slings beneath the sunken vessel to drag it to the bank and get the channel clear.” It may take another five to six days to complete, he added.

The minister at this point instructed the port authority to think of procuring CPA’s own salvage vessel and equipment.

Asked about the procurement, the CPA member said they had no specially designed or self-propelled salvage vessel. Usually the salvage equipment is installed on a floating platform, which is powered by tag boats.

Meanwhile, the four-member probe committee headed by Chief Ship Surveyor Sirajul Islam of Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) has completed its investigation into the accident. The report will be submitted to the Principal Officer of MMD Sunday.

Sources said Seven Circles-25, which is an inland vessel, was procured in 2008. Its operation at sea might have caused the accident.