Vessel Founders Following Collision in Dense Fog

A maritime accident in the port city of Chittagong has resulted in the sinking of a lighterage vessel after a collision blamed on visibility-choking fog. The vessel, identified as the MV Titu-8, was laden with steel scrap—a vital raw material for the production of iron rods—when it struck another craft during the early hours of Sunday morning. The incident occurred in the Majhirghat area of the city, causing significant damage to the hull, though authorities have confirmed that there were no fatalities or serious injuries amongst the crew.

The MV Titu-8 had been in the process of transporting its heavy cargo from the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port toward the shore on behalf of the Abul Khair Group. According to Sub-Inspector Ariful Islam of the Sadarghat Naval Police, the collision took place as the vessel was performing a turning manoeuvre to dock at the terminal. Due to the limited visibility caused by a thick seasonal fog, the MV Titu-8 collided with another lighterage ship, resulting in a severe breach on the starboard side of its hull.

As water surged through the midsection rupture, the vessel began to founder. Fortunately, because the collision happened in relatively shallow waters near the unloading point, the ship did not submerge entirely. Salvage and recovery efforts commenced almost immediately, and by Sunday afternoon, workers were still engaged in the arduous task of offloading the submerged scrap metal to prevent total cargo loss.

Incident Logistics and Vessel Data

All thirteen crew members on board the ill-fated vessel managed to reach the safety of the shore unaided or with minimal assistance. Reports from the sailors corroborated that the navigational challenge posed by the dense mist was the primary factor behind the miscalculation that led to the impact. Naval police and port authorities are monitoring the site to ensure that the partially sunken vessel does not pose a further navigational hazard to other craft operating within the busy Majhirghat channel.

The accident highlights the perennial risks faced by lighterage operations during the winter months in Bangladesh, where coastal fog frequently disrupts maritime logistics. While the financial loss regarding the vessel’s damage is expected to be substantial, the successful evacuation of the crew is a significant relief for the port community.