50 crew in distress with two Bangladeshi ships trapped in foreign ports for months
Fifty Bangladeshi sailors are trapped in two foreign ports, facing dire shortages of food and water as their vessels remain immobilized for months due to accidents and legal entanglements. The ships, Meghna Princess and Meghna Prestige, are owned by Meghna Group, which operates a fleet of 25 oceangoing vessels. The situation has raised serious concerns about the welfare of the crew and the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve these issues.
Meghna Princess: A Troubling Incident in the Baltic Sea
The Meghna Princess was involved in a serious accident on December 29, when it was misdirected by a GPS jammer, causing it to collide with an underwater rock near Russia’s Ust-Luga port. This collision severely damaged the ship’s hull and propeller, leading to flooding within parts of the vessel. The ship was on its way to load additional cargo after delivering 25,000 tonnes of fertilizer from St. Petersburg.
Captain Md Anam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA), reported that the crew has been suffering from critical shortages of food and drinking water. The crew is currently relying on melted snow for hydration, having gone without fresh water for two months. Despite reaching out for assistance, the Russian port authorities reportedly did not respond for an entire week. A salvage operation has recently commenced to recover the vessel, but experts estimate that repairs may take up to three months.
The plight of the sailors has taken a mental toll on them, as they remain confined aboard the ship for an extended period. Their families back home are also experiencing significant distress. Commodore Mohammad Maksud Alam, director general of the Department of Shipping, assured that efforts are underway to resolve the situation and bring the sailors back home safely.
Legal Quagmire: The Case of Meghna Prestige
Meanwhile, the second vessel, Meghna Prestige, has been stranded at Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, since January 29 due to complex legal issues. The ship’s captain has been detained following an incident where a diver was fatally injured during an inspection. As a result, a Venezuelan court has ordered the captain’s detention for 45 days while the investigation is conducted.
Although the ship has enough food supplies for the next 10 to 15 days, it is currently facing a shortage of drinking water. The BMMOA is actively working to resolve the legal issues, with the shipowners appointing two lawyers and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) providing assistance. The crew’s situation remains precarious with limited food and water, and the detained captain has described his living conditions as inhumane.
Diplomatic efforts are reportedly in motion to facilitate the release of the ship and its crew. Commodore Alam stated that the government has reached out to Venezuelan legal authorities to expedite the process. As the situation develops, Meghna Group and relevant authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the sailors from both vessels.
