Published : 04 Aug 2026, 05:18 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
A container ship that became stranded near the mouth of the Karnaphuli River while entering Chittagong Port has been successfully removed.
Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the vessel, MV CNC Uranus, was refloated late Monday night and safely anchored at B Anchorage.
Speaking to bdnews24.com on Tuesday morning, he said:
"Through a coordinated effort, we successfully rescued the stranded vessel. After it was freed, it was safely anchored at B Anchorage.
"As a result, operations at the country's principal seaport have continued normally without any disruption."
The Malta-flagged container ship became stranded around 2:15pm on Monday near the Karnaphuli River estuary, just outside the port.
Port officials said the 170-metre-long vessel developed a mechanical fault. After its steering system failed, it collided with Buoy No. 2 and then became lodged against a protective embankment near the river mouth.
The ship was carrying 1,282 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers from China's Shekou Port to Chittagong Port. There were 24 crew members on board.
To recover the vessel, the Chittagong Port Authority deployed tugboats Kandari-2, Kandari-4, Kandari-6, and Kandari-11. Additional assistance was provided by the Bangladesh Navy's tugboat Shibsa, a Tunnel Authority tugboat, and the Bangladesh Coast Guard's tugboat Promotto.
Personnel from the Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Coast Guard also joined the coordinated operation to ensure the overall safety of the port's navigation channel.
The vessel was successfully refloated late Monday night and anchored safely.
Refayet said the port's navigation channel remained completely safe and fully navigable throughout the rescue operation, and no casualties were reported.
