Vessel held up at Ctg Port for 5 days over compensation after collision

A fuel tanker has remained stranded at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port for five days after failing to resolve a compensation dispute over damage caused to a jetty owned by Padma Oil Company Limited.

The Panama-flagged tanker Prive Angel, carrying 35,055 tonnes of diesel from Dubai, arrived at the port's outer anchorage on 24 April. After partially discharging cargo through lighter vessels, the ship was taken to Dolphin Jetty-6, operated by Padma Oil, on 28 April for berthing.

According to port officials, the vessel, under the command of an Indian captain and navigating under the guidance of a port pilot, lost control during the berthing manoeuvre and struck the jetty, damaging part of its structure.

Following the incident, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) formed a joint inspection team comprising representatives from all relevant parties, including the vessel's insurer – a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) club.

Assessments of the committee indicate that the impact caused significant structural damage to Dolphin Oil Jetty-6 (DOJ-6), particularly at the loading and unloading platform and the approach bridge. A detailed evaluation by a structural engineering team is now underway, covering survey, testing, analysis and preparation of repair designs and drawings.

The committee estimated the cost of rehabilitation at Tk3.40 crore. Including VAT and other taxes, the total compensation claim rose to around Tk4.25 crore.

While the P&I club agreed to pay Tk3.25 crore, it declined to cover the remaining Tk85 lakh related to taxes, leading to a stalemate.

As a result, the vessel has not been granted departure clearance by the Chattogram Port Authority, despite completing all port formalities. The tanker was originally scheduled to leave Chattogram on 30 April but remains anchored due to the unresolved dispute.

Port sources said BPC formally requested the port authority to withhold clearance until full compensation is secured. The delay has left the vessel idle at the outer anchorage, with daily losses estimated at around $20,000–$25,000 in demurrage for the shipowner.

Officials of Pride Shipping Lines, the vessel's local agent, said the prolonged negotiations have already disrupted the vessel's subsequent voyage schedule and could lead to further financial exposure.

Mohammad Zahid Hossain, general manager (operations) at Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, said the assessment committee's report had been signed by all parties, including the P&I club representative.

"Once the report is signed, there is little scope to dispute the assessed amount, including applicable taxes," he told The Business Standard. He added that the vessel would not be allowed to depart until a bank guarantee covering the full claim is submitted.

Commodore Ahmed Amin Abdullah, member (marine and harbour) of the port authority, said the CPA is acting on a request from BPC. "The vessel will be cleared only after BPC gives its approval following settlement of the compensation issue," he said.

Maritime expert Captain Anam Chowdhury said that under international maritime practice, although vessels follow instructions from port pilots during berthing, command responsibility remains with the ship's master.

"In such incidents, liability rests with the master and, by extension, the shipowner, who must compensate for any damage caused," he explained.

Nazrul Islam, managing partner of Pride Shipping Lines, said efforts are ongoing to resolve the dispute quickly. "The timeline now depends largely on how soon the P&I club provides the required bank guarantee. Once that is in place, the vessel can obtain clearance and sail," he said.

Only three dolphin jetties operate at Chattogram Port, all of which are used to handle fuel imports. These jetties are operated on behalf of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation by its three marketing subsidiaries – Padma Oil Company Limited, Jamuna Oil Company Limited and Meghna Petroleum Limited – making them critical infrastructure for the country's energy supply chain.