A lighterage ship carrying ball clay, a key raw material for ceramics, sank at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port on Friday night.
The vessel, MV Zayan, reportedly sank near Patenga Beach close to the Naval Academy around 9:00pm after its hull cracked and water entered the ship.
Port secretary Md Omar Faruk confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying that all 13 crew members were rescued safely.
鈥楾he ship was en route to the Karnaphuli River from the outer anchorage carrying 1,200 tons of ball clay,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥楾he sinking has not affected port operations.鈥�
The vessel is owned by Sea World Shipping Limited.
Mohammad Khalil, an operational executive of the company, said, 鈥榃hile returning with the cargo, the ship hit a rock near Naval Beach. Its bottom cracked, allowing water to enter and gradually sink the vessel.鈥�
Port authorities reported that around 90 per cent of the ship has submerged and have instructed the owner to evacuate the vessel immediately.
