Committee to probe BSC tanker fires, oil unloading to resume with chartered vessel

A 10-member high-powered investigation committee has been formed to determine the cause of the recent fires aboard two oil tankers of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain has said.

Besides, a chartered ship has been arranged to resume oil unloading operations today, he said during a press conference following a meeting with Corporation officials in Chattogram today.

"The consecutive fire incidents have sparked suspicion of sabotage, he said. "In response, the shipping ministry has formed a committee led by Additional Secretary Md Abul Islam. It also includes security experts and maritime professionals."

A thorough investigation is essential before drawing any conclusions, he added. "I prefer not to speculate, as it could impact the inquiry." 

The committee has been instructed to submit a report to the secretary of the shipping ministry within seven working days. The committee is authorised to co-opt additional members if necessary.

The adviser also expressed gratitude to various organisations, including the Chattogram Port Authority, the Navy, and the Coast Guard, for their swift action in controlling the fire. 

He said if the fire spread to the oil, it could have leaked into the sea, leading to closure of the port channel and extensive damage. "Thankfully, that did not happen, and the fire was quickly brought under control."

The fires occurred aboard the Banglar Jyoti on 30 September and Banglar Shourabh on 4 October while unloading crude oil from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation's (BPC) mother vessel Omera Legacy. The incidents have killed four people so far. 

Unloading begins Monday

The shipping adviser said a ship has been chartered for oil transport as the two vessels that caught fire will no longer be operational. "That process has been completed, and from Monday, the unloading of oil will begin."

According to BSC sources, the chartered Panama-flagged MT Global Dignity oil tanker is 177 metres long and 26 metres wide with storage capacity of 24,853 tonnes. It is currently docked at Chattogram Port. 

Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of the BSC, said Global Dignity would replace the damaged vessels in the oil transport process. "The chartered ship has a higher oil unloading capacity than the two vessels that were previously used."

The BSC transports 12 to 14 lakh tonnes of crude oil annually for the BPC. Each mother vessel carries 95,000 to 1,00,000 tonnes of oil, and it takes 10 to 12 days to unload. The new chartered vessel is expected to match the unloading time of the previous two lighter vessels.

4 ships from China

At the press conference, the previous government's vessel procurement project with China was discussed. 

Initially, six ships were planned for purchase at Tk2,620 crore, with a Tk2,486 crore loan from China. However, rising costs led to a revision of the plan to four ships at the same price. 

Regarding the issue, Adviser Shakhawat Hossain said it is difficult to say if there was any corruption involved. "We are not cancelling the project; otherwise, we won't be able to acquire new ships. We are working to reduce the quoted prices and aim to minimise corruption during our tenure."

Commenting on the status of the project, Commodore Malek said the commercial agreement has been finalised, and the loan agreement is currently in progress. 

Since the government has changed, China has requested additional information on the project. "We expect the loan agreement to be finalised soon."

After the loan agreement is signed, contracts will be made between the BSC, the Chinese company China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation and the classification society. Ship construction will begin thereafter, and within two years, the four new ships will join the BSC fleet.

Commodore Malek also said there are plans to acquire six more container vessels from South Korea, two bulk carriers, and over 20 small lighter ships.