The West of England P&I Club informed that it continues to see claims arising due to collisions between vessels underway and at anchor in Bangladeshi Chittagong anchorage, with 50 such incidents recorded since 2013. The considerable increase in the number of ships calling at Chittagong has brought a respective increase of incidents reported, which has attracted the attention of marine insurance industry in recent years.
According to an earlier advisory by the London P&I Club, no P&I year in recent memory is free of incident in this location.
Located near the mouth of the Sandwip channel, the anchorages off Chittagong are often busy with vessels waiting to berth or engaged in cargo operations with lighters, making manoeuvring problematic. Several collision cases have been reported in the anchorages off Chittagong where Masters have attempted to cross ahead of another vessel at anchor.
The manoeuvring vessel in each case had not appreciated the strength of the tidal stream and current and was set down on to the anchored vessel, fouling its anchor cable and colliding with the other vessel, the West Club has earlier advised.
Masters should therefore not attempt to cross ahead of a vessel at anchor except under exceptional circumstances. If a crossing manoeuvre cannot be avoided, adequate clearance should be maintained to enable the crossing to be completed safely whilst considering the prevailing tidal stream, currents and wind. Low powered vessels should take particular care when manoeuvring in the anchorage.
In addition, the area is often subjected to strong tidal streams and currents averaging over 6 knots at spring tides, which may increase further when it has rained heavily inland. The strong tides and current, coupled with moderate to poor holding ground makes anchoring difficult.
Masters may find they need to use a large scope of anchor cable when considering the limited water depth, and main engines should be maintained on standby during spring tides as it is possible that the anchor may drag. Strong winds, high seas and a long swell may also be experienced, making conditions more challenging still.
It is also noted that delays in discharge at Chittagong are commonplace.
Vessels proceeding to the port can therefore reasonably expect to be exposed to the various hazards in the anchorage, including strong tidal streams, poor holding ground and congestion for a prolonged period.
