Three robberies have been reported at scrap vessels docked at the outer anchorage of the Chattogram Port over the past 18 days, raising fresh concerns over maritime safety.
Ship owners, shipping agents and seafarers allege that delayed responses from law enforcement are exposing crews and imported vessels to growing security risks.
The first incident took place on 29 June when cargo vessel “MV Hai Xu”, imported by Dynamic Ship Recycling Yard, arrived at Charlie Anchorage.
According to the shipyard, 20 to 25 armed robbers boarded the vessel around 1:40am, held crew members hostage and entered the engine room before escaping with spare parts and other valuable equipment worth about Tk10 million.
Ariful Hasan Nayon, chief executive officer of the shipyard, alleged that the vessel’s captain immediately contacted both the port authorities and the Bangladesh Coast Guard but received no response.
“Representatives of the owner reached the vessel around 7am, while the Coast Guard arrived at about 10am, long after the robbers had fled,” he told TBS, adding that no criminal case was filed.
The following day, tanker “MT IROS”, imported by Jamuna Ship Breakers, arrived at the anchorage. The importer later discovered that valuable equipment had already been stolen from the vessel.
Some of the stolen goods were later found being sold in the Banglabazar area under Sadarghat Police Station.
After being informed, river police recovered equipment worth around Tk20 million.
Mohammad Jabed, chief executive officer of Jamuna Ship Breakers, said goods worth nearly Tk20 million were recovered out of an estimated Tk50 million stolen.
A general diary was filed instead of a criminal case to avoid possible legal complications, he added.
The latest attack occurred on 16 July when tanker “Tai Shuen”, imported by Janata Steel, came under attack shortly after arriving from Hong Kong.
Mosharraf Hossain, owner of shipping agent Ben Line Shipping, said around 20 robbers arrived in five wooden boats and boarded the vessel while the crew was busy dropping anchor.
“The attackers split into two groups. One prevented the crew from completing the anchoring operation, while the other looted expensive mooring ropes, batteries and other deck equipment,” he said.
According to him, the Indonesian captain immediately informed the port control room by radio, but the robbers escaped before the Coast Guard arrived.
Hossain said three vessels handled by his company had been attacked within the past 20 days.
“These may appear to be petty thefts, but the financial losses are substantial. More importantly, repeated attacks are creating serious safety concerns among ship owners, agents and seafarers,” he added.
Earlier, on 7 May, robbers looted about 2,900 litres of paint from a container ship at the anchorage.
Mariners question security response
Captain Salah Uddin, president of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association, said victims often struggle to file police cases, while the port authority and the Coast Guard frequently shift responsibility.
“In the latest incident, the vessel reported the attack immediately, yet the Coast Guard arrived after the robbers had already escaped,” he said.
“The Coast Guard is responsible for protecting the port channels in coordination with the port authority. Whether that responsibility is being fulfilled effectively is a legitimate question.”
Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, said repeated robberies have tarnished the international image of Chattogram Port.
“Neither the port authority nor the Coast Guard has taken effective measures to stop robberies within port limits. Many foreign mariners now consider Chattogram a piracy-prone anchorage,” he said.
Sayed Refayet Hamim, secretary of Chattogram Port Authority, confirmed the latest robbery, saying the Coast Guard had launched an investigation with the port’s assistance.
The Coast Guard’s media wing declined to comment.
However, a Coast Guard official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said patrol teams respond whenever incidents are reported promptly.
“If information reaches us late, it becomes difficult to catch the robbers or prevent the crime,” the official said.
Robbery trend persists
A 2024 report by the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) warned of a sharp increase in robbery incidents around Bangladesh.
Nine incidents were reported during the first five months of 2024, compared with just one in the previous year. Seven occurred at Chattogram anchorage and off Kutubdia.
The report says Bangladesh recorded 169 robbery and armed robbery incidents between 2007 and May 2024, with around 93% taking place at ports and anchorages. Most attacks occur at night, with robbers stealing ropes, paint, engine spare parts and tools, often while carrying knives or machetes.
Following the rise in incidents, authorities strengthened Coast Guard and naval patrols, restricted unidentified country boats from entering anchorage areas and introduced a Visual Tracking Information Management System to monitor the movement of small boats.
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