The ship MV Haian City, which was damaged in a collision with another ship at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port, has resumed its journey to Singapore after being repaired. Concerned parties have expressed relief that the ship set sail with export goods after about two months.
The ship crossed the port-channel on Tuesday (21 June) at noon with the help of the tugboats Kandari-1 and Kandari-6.
The ship collided with the MT Orion Express near the Kutubdia area of the outer anchorage on 14 April while carrying containers from Chittagong port. At that time, the cargo hold on the port side of Haian City got damaged and water entered the ship and tilted it 7 degrees. With the entry of water, the draft increased to 10.7 metres. It started to drown. Later, the ship was anchored in the Kutubdia area under special arrangements.
Then on 4 May, the ship was safely berthed at Karnaphuli Drydock Jetty with the help of port tugboats and other supporting vessels. Earlier, a customs clearance permit was taken at Karnafuli Drydock Jetty. Dredging was done at the jetty to make it suitable for 10.7 metres. This is where the damaged part of the ship was repaired.
The ship had 1,156 export cargo containers with a market value of about Tk 800 crores. By rescuing and repairing the ship, the Chittagong Port Authority has saved export goods worth Tk 800 crores from damage. The traders say that this is a unique initiative of the port authority.
