Ship carrying fertiliser sinks in Pashur channel of Mongla port

A lighter vessel sank at Harbaria-8 area in the Poshur channel of the Mongla Port in Bagerhat early Wednesday night after a collision with another ship.

All eight crew members, including the master, of the ship managed to swim to a nearby lighter vessel.

Mongla Port harbour master Captain Mohammed Shaheen Majeed said the vessel named MV Shahjalal Express was heading towards Jashore’s Nawapara after loading 500 tonnes of fertilisers from a foreign ship MV Vita Olympic.

On its way to Jashore’s Nawapara the propeller of the ship broke down when it collided with a foreign vessel MV Supreme Valor at Harbaria-8 area around 12:30 am causing it to sink.

Harbour master Shaheen said the owner of the vessel was asked to salvage the vessel. As per the rules of the port, if the owner fails to salvage the vessel within 15 days, the port authorities will take steps to salvage it, he said.

However, operation on the channel was normal, the harbour master added.