Fisherman Missing After Collision at Mongla Port

Bangladeshi authorities are currently searching for a missing fisherman following a three-way collision involving his boat, a small coal carrier, and an LPG carrier at Mongla Port. This incident is just the latest in a series of major casualties involving LPG carriers and tankers in Bangladesh. The collision occurred when the LPG carrier Era Star collided with the coastal coal carrier Mizan in the Pashur Channel near Mongla Port. While the Era Star sustained minimal damage, the Mizan’s hull was severely damaged and began taking on water. All crew members of the Mizan were able to safely abandon ship and reach shore, with the vessel remaining afloat. The owner has since initiated a lightering operation to transfer the coal cargo to another vessel.

In addition to the two commercial vessels involved in the collision, a small fishing vessel was also caught in the incident. The sole occupant of the fishing vessel, identified as Lokman Harim, went missing as a result of the collision. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched a search operation, including the use of divers, in an effort to locate the missing fisherman. The Bangladeshi government is planning significant dredging improvements to the Pashur Channel, with the goal of enhancing the port’s capacity to handle containerized and ro/ro cargo. This includes the addition of two new piers and channel-deepening work.

The incident at Mongla Port adds to a series of recent explosions and fires involving tankers in Chittagong. Last month, two LPG carriers off Kutubdia, Chittagong, experienced a blaze that forced the crews to abandon ship. One of the vessels was reportedly carrying a sanctioned Iranian cargo. Additionally, a fire on the tanker Banglar Shourabh on October 4 resulted in the death of one crew member, while a fire on the tanker Banglar Jyoti on September 30 claimed the lives of three crew members. These incidents highlight the ongoing safety concerns surrounding maritime operations in Bangladesh.

Source