A complaint was lodged by the Singapore-based container ship MV KOTA RANCAK with the International Maritime Bureau, a Malaysia-based security watchdog, on June 28 alleging piracy outside the Chattogram port. The master of MV KOTA RANCAK or any sailor did not inform the port control or coast guard of Chattogram port about this.
After receiving an e-mail from IMBA along with the Coast Guard, at the request of the Chairman of Chattogram Port, a team from the Coast Guard East Zone conducted an investigation against the alleged piracy on the ship.
The investigation revealed that some ropes and oil were sold from the ship to a local vendor in collusion with the ship's sailors.
The Coast Guard conducted a combing operation, seized the sold goods and interrogated the ship's sailors and vendors. Under interrogation, the ship's sailor and buyer admitted that the goods were unloaded from the MV KOTA RANCAK in exchange for dollars.
According to the Coast Guard, the piracy report was filed with the help of the sailors of the ship at the outer Chattogram Port to cover up the crime.
According to Section 9 of the International Ship and Port Safety Code (ISPS), a team comprising representatives of Bangladesh Coast Guard, Chattogram Port Authority and Department of Shipping visited the MV KOTA RANCAK to investigate the matter.
The ship's master admitted the allegations to the IMBA, saying no piracy or other incidents had taken place on June 28. He also withdrew the report sent to the IMBA.
Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruq said Bangladesh was saved from the piracy scandal due to the courageous role of the port chairman.
No theft, robbery or piracy took place in the waters of Chattogram port. Chattogram port and coastal area have a reputation as a safe area.
A vicious circle is trying to tarnish the image of Chattogram port by submitting such fake piracy reports. A 2012 search by another Singapore-based global maritime security watchdog, Recap, also found six bogus piracy reports. Since the implementation of the ISPS Code in July 2004, the security situation at Chattogram Port has been enviable. Since 2019, Recap has declared Chittagong port as a zero piracy port. The Chattogram Port Authority played a commendable role in uncovering the fake report submitted from the ship in question.
Recently, the Chattogram Port Authority updated the port security plan and introduced unrestricted security measures at the port in accordance with the International Port and Ship Safety Code. Port chairman has set a unique example of safe shipping by rescuing 1159 container ship MV Haian City from partial sinking. The steps taken to modernize the security system of the port have been praised by various international circles such as the US Coast Guard, Recap, etc.
