Piracy incidents expose security gaps at Ctg Port

CHATTOGRAM July 25: The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and security agencies have stepped up patrols and surveillance following a series of thefts and piracy incidents at the outer anchorage of the country's busiest seaport, amid growing concerns over maritime safety.

As part of the crackdown, the Bangladesh Coast Guard recently detained 16 suspected pirates and recovered 1,020 kilograms of stolen scrap metal and ship equipment from a lifeboat during a raid at the outer anchorage.

Piracy and robbery targeting commercial vessels have increased in recent months, with several incidents reported at the outer anchorage. Shipowners, shipping agents and seafarers have alleged that delayed responses from law enforcement are exposing crews and vessels to greater security risks.

Most incidents involve local criminals boarding anchored vessels and stealing portable equipment, including ropes, paint, engine parts and other valuable machinery.

The CPA has been addressing the security situation by coordinating with the Bangladesh Coast Guard, police and maritime monitoring agencies. Port authorities maintain that most reported incidents involve localised theft and opportunistic crimes rather than organised piracy, while trade bodies continue to press for stronger security measures.

According to industry sources, one of the most serious incidents occurred on June 29 when the cargo vessel MV Hai Xu, imported by Dynamic Ship Recycling Yard, arrived at Charlie Anchorage.  

The shipyard alleged that 20 to 25 armed robbers boarded the vessel around 1:40am, held crew members hostage and entered the engine room before fleeing with spare parts and other valuable equipment worth about Tk10 million.

The following day, tanker MT IROS, imported by Jamuna Ship Breakers, also arrived at the anchorage. The importer later discovered that valuable equipment had already been stolen from the vessel. Some of the stolen goods were subsequently found being sold in the Banglabazar area under Sadarghat Police Station. Acting on information, the river police recovered equipment worth around Tk20 million.

Another incident took place on July 16, when tanker Tai Shuen, imported by Janata Steel, came under attack shortly after arriving from Hong Kong. Around 20 robbers in five wooden boats boarded the vessel while crew members were busy dropping anchor.

Earlier, on May 7, robbers looted about 2,900 litres of paint from a container ship at the outer anchorage. In the latest operation, conducted on the night of July 23, the Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested 16 suspected pirates and recovered goods allegedly stolen from commercial vessels. The operation was carried out by Coast Guard ship Shyamol Bangla based on confidential information, said Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit, Media Officer of the Coast Guard Eastern Zone.

According to the Coast Guard, personnel intercepted and searched a suspicious lifeboat at the outer anchorage and recovered 1,020 kilograms of scrap metal, wire mesh and two gas cylinders believed to have been stolen from a commercial vessel. Sixteen suspects were detained during the operation.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has urged the government to strengthen security at the port's outer anchorage after three piracy incidents involving foreign vessels this month raised concerns among foreign shipowners, shipping agents and seafarers. In a recent letter to Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, CCCI President Mohammad Amirul Haque called for stronger Coast Guard patrols, improved intelligence gathering, swift investigations and strict action against those involved in piracy and the sale of stolen equipment from vessels.