The Singapore-flagged Maersk Chattogram suffered major hull damage after colliding with feeder vessel HR Turag at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port on 1 May, disrupting cargo handling at Bangladesh’s main maritime trade gateway.
The Chattogram Port Authority said the accident occurred at around 0930 local time as both container ships were moving toward the pilot station before formal pilotage had started. The impact opened a large section of hull plating on the starboard quarter of Maersk Chattogram. No injuries or oil spill were reported.
Both vessels had arrived from Singapore with import cargo. Maersk Chattogram was carrying 1,878 containers, while HR Turag had about 1,000 containers on board. Because of the damage, the ships could not berth immediately, leaving importers without access to their cargo for nearly two days.
On 3 May, port authorities moved both vessels to the jetty under a controlled safety operation. Each ship was assisted by three tugboats, with one additional tug on standby. General vessel movements were paused during the operation, and two pilots were assigned to each vessel as a precaution, according to CPA Deputy Conservator Captain Zahirul Islam.
Import discharge has since started. However, neither vessel will load export containers for now, adding pressure to Chattogram Port, which handles about 91% of Bangladesh’s export trade.
A joint committee formed by the Department of Shipping and the Chattogram Port Authority will investigate the cause of the collision and assess the damage. Maersk’s local office said a full inspection will be carried out after cargo discharge, before repair arrangements are finalized.
HR Turag is a 1,000 TEU feeder vessel built in 1999. It previously operated as Maersk Arun, changed to the Bangladesh flag in 2023, and is now operated by HR Line on regional services. Maersk Chattogram is a 2,700 TEU container ship built in 2016.
The incident adds to operational pressure at Chattogram after earlier labor disruptions linked to the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal to DP World. Those strikes affected vessel connections, created backlogs, and reduced export container deliveries by nearly 40%.
Crew members on Maersk Chattogram told local media that the engine and steering gear remained operational, with the damage limited to the outer hull. Both vessels remain moored under monitoring by port and shipping authorities.
