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Three robberies targeting vessels at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port in just 18 days have reignited concerns over maritime security, with ship owners and seafarers alleging slow responses by law enforcement are leaving crews and cargo vulnerable.
The latest incident occurred on 16 July, when tanker Tai Shuen, imported by Janata Steel, was boarded by around 20 armed robbers shortly after arriving from Hong Kong.
According to shipping agent Ben Line Shipping, the attackers looted mooring ropes, batteries and other valuable equipment before fleeing, despite the crew immediately alerting port authorities.
Earlier, on 29 June, cargo vessel MV Hai Xu, imported by Dynamic Ship Recycling Yard, was raided by 20–25 armed men who allegedly held crew members hostage before escaping with spare parts and equipment worth about Tk10 million.
The shipyard claimed the Coast Guard arrived several hours after the robbery, by which time the attackers had disappeared.
A day later, tanker MT IROS, imported by Jamuna Ship Breakers, was also found to have been looted.
Authorities later recovered equipment worth around Tk20 million, although the total value of stolen items was estimated at Tk50 million.
Industry leaders say the repeated attacks highlight serious gaps in security at one of Bangladesh’s busiest maritime gateways.
Captain Salah Uddin, president of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association, said delayed law enforcement responses and confusion over jurisdiction have undermined efforts to combat such crimes.
Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, warned that recurring robberies are damaging Chattogram Port’s international reputation, with some foreign mariners now viewing it as a piracy-prone anchorage.
The Chattogram Port Authority confirmed the latest incident and said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched an investigation.
A Coast Guard official, speaking anonymously, said patrol teams respond whenever incidents are reported promptly but acknowledged that delayed information hampers operations.
According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), Bangladesh recorded 169 robbery and armed robbery incidents between 2007 and May 2024, with about 93% occurring at ports and anchorages.
The report also noted a sharp rise in incidents in 2024, particularly around Chattogram and Kutubdia, despite enhanced naval and Coast Guard patrols and tighter monitoring of small boats.
