A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was damaged but remained stable after colliding with an anchored Bangladesh-flagged vessel at Chittagong port’s Alpha Anchorage at around 12:30 am on Sunday.

Anasa, carrying about 35,350 tonnes of slag, collided with the anchored Zahab Jahan. Both ships moved to a safe distance after the incident. The Anasa sustained structural damage to its starboard side, but no flooding, list or ingress of oil or water was reported.

Tests after the collision found the Anasa’s main engine, steering gear and pumps operational, and emergency systems remained functional, with the anchor holding in strong current. Draught readings were nearly equal across the vessel. Damage stability calculations placed the ship within safe limits, but a fuller survey was needed to establish the depth of damage to steel plating and whether the ship remained fit for sea.

The Zahab Jahan, built in 2000 and 190 metres long, is Bangladeshi-flagged. The Anasa was built in 2011 at Japan’s Iwagi Shipbuilding and previously sailed as Neo Beachwood and IVS Beachwood. Details of damage to the Zahab Jahan were not yet available.

Chittagong Port Secretary and Spokesman Syed Refayet Hamim said the investigation would examine the cause of the accident as well as the two ships’ positions, speed, current conditions and pilotage during navigation. Tug Kandari-8 and the vessel BLV Lusai were at the scene to provide assistance, he said.