A tragic week for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation: Is ageing fleet jeopardising safety?
With the spotlight on safety and operational standards, BSC must act decisively to protect the lives of its crew and ensure the long-term viability of its fleet
The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has faced a challenging and tragic series of events in recent days with two devastating incidents involving its two ageing vessels of crude oil carrier tankers MT Banglar Jyoti (Built in 1987/DWT: 14541 Tons, Made in Denmark) and MT Banglar Shourabh (Built-in 1987/DWT: 14494 Tons, Made in Denmark); both the vessels are sister ships which are about 37 years old.
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety standards of BSC's fleet while also drawing attention to the state of ageing vessels in the global shipping industry.
On 30 September 2024, a catastrophic explosion rocked the BSC-owned tanker Banglar Jyoti, leading to a fire on board that resulted in the tragic loss of three lives, including a cadet officer from Barisal Marine Academy.
The incident occurred while the vessel Banglar Jyoti was at the Dolphin jetty of Chattogram Port, fully loaded with crude oil. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation but the initial reports suggest that it could be linked to the failure of precautionary safety measures for a permit to work inside the forecastle store at the forward of the vessel, keeping in mind the vessel's ageing machinery and fuel handling system.
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Just days after the tragic incident on MT Banglar Jyoti, another BSC-owned tanker, MT Banglar Shourabh, caught fire at the Chattogram outer anchorage on 5 October at 12:50 AM. The fire was extensive, with 47 out of 48 crew members successfully rescued by the coast guard. However, one crew member, Sadek Mia, a 59-year-old general steward, was pulled from the water but tragically passed away on the way to the hospital.
The managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, Commodore Mahmudul Malek, expressed concern about the incident happening even after the precautionary measures were taken and pointed a finger towards the possibility of sabotage while the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Both incidents posed a serious threat to the entire port, not only risking disruption or paralysis of its operations but also causing severe oil pollution and environmental damage.
Growing concerns regarding MT Banglar Jyoti and Banglar Shourabh
Banglar Jyoti: Mainly explosions may occur when flammable explosive mixtures are present inside any compartment and triggered by hot work or just by a spark, which may be generated from electric equipment starter panels, smoking or even the use of cigarette lighters.
Particularly in oil tanker vessels, the safety standards are always maintained at a higher level.
The safety measures include risk assessment (RA), air quality checks for flammable gas presence, a permit to work for hot work, ensuring proper ventilation and situational assessment. The presence of a responsible person in a situation is important to ensure that safety measures are being followed.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the vessel; firefighting efforts were difficult. The local firefighting team, along with the Coast Guard and Navy, worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control.
Banglar Shourabh: The cargo holds and compartments of any tanker vessel are designed to remain sealed, with a safe ventilation system in place. Flammable materials, such as oily rags or loose oil, are not permitted on deck. Therefore, a fire cannot occur spontaneously on deck without the presence of both an ignition source and flammable materials.
While the vessel was at anchorage, fully loaded, the duty officer was on the bridge to keep watch, and deck rovers were supposed to be on deck keeping an eye around the ship for any suspicious activities.
Shortly after midnight, when the fire broke out, a suspicious speedboat was reported leaving the ship's side. Moments later, a crew member spotted flames in four areas on deck, raising the possibility of sabotage.
The investigation is currently underway, and we remain hopeful that the true causes of these incidents will be uncovered. To ensure a thorough evaluation, an independent third-party investigation should also be conducted to identify both the immediate and root causes and determine the necessary corrective actions.
However, the loss of four lives in two incidents has devastated the maritime community and prompted serious questions about the condition of the ship, shipboard management standards, and as a whole Bangladesh Shipping Corporation's Safety Management System standards.
The age factor
Both MT Banglar Jyoti and Shourabh have been in service for about 37 years, well past the typical lifespan of many ocean-going vessels. The incident has ignited a debate about the safety of operating such old ships, particularly when they are transporting dangerous materials like fuel.
The global shipping industry generally considers 25–30 years as the maximum operational age for most vessels. After this period, the ships require increasingly frequent and costly maintenance, including yearly dry docking and enhanced surveys as the risk of mechanical failure rises dramatically.
The back-to-back incidents on these two ships point to the need for BSC to reassess its fleet management and maintenance practices.
Lessons for the maritime industry
The incidents involving MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Shourabh serve as stark reminders of the risks associated with operating ageing vessels. While the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is not alone in grappling with the challenges of maintaining older ships, these consecutive fires and the loss of life have drawn attention to the global issue of fleet ageing in the maritime sector.
These events underscore the importance of rigorous inspections, regular maintenance, and, when necessary, the timely decommissioning of vessels that pose safety risks.
International Safety Management (ISM) requirements
The ISM Code, part of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention, emphasises structured safety management for ships. It requires ship owners and operators to establish a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure the crew is properly trained, familiar with safety procedures, and prepared to handle emergencies effectively.
In addition, the ISM Code mandates routine inspections, maintenance and assessments to guarantee that all safety systems are fully functional and compliant.
For tankers, the ISM Code emphasises:
Risk management procedures: Operators must identify potential risks and establish measures to mitigate them, particularly those involved in carrying dangerous cargo.
Crew Competency: Crew members must be properly trained in safety procedures and emergency response, including firefighting, oil spill response and evacuation.
The tragic loss of four lives, along with the fire and explosion aboard Banglar Jyoti and Banglar Shourabh, highlights the urgent need for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) to address the risks posed by its ageing vessels and others in the fleet.
BSC must understand that safety isn't a one-time task—it's a continuous, long-term commitment. It's not just about meeting regulations but about building a culture of safety that everyone within the organisation embraces and practices daily. True safety goes beyond compliance; it needs to align with the company's values and beliefs to become sustainable and meaningful.
As investigations continue, the maritime community will be watching closely for the lessons learnt and the steps taken to prevent further tragedies, loss of life, loss of property, and damage to the environment.
With the spotlight on safety and operational standards, BSC must act decisively to protect the lives of its crew and ensure the long-term viability of its fleet.
Abdullah M Ferdaus Khan CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, MBA is the Chief Engineer at NEU Seeschiffahrt GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
