Indian cargo vessel carrying fly ash risks sinking near Sundarbans

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An Indian-bound cargo vessel carrying 572 tons of fly ash is at risk of sinking in the Shakbaria River near the Sundarbans, raising urgent concerns regarding potential environmental damage and disruption to key maritime routes. The vessel, MV Shariat Ullah-5, reportedly developed a severe hull breach while loading materials at the Port of Kolkata on June 11, which caused water to infiltrate the engine room.

According to the ship’s master, Syed Jewel Rana, the crew initially attempted to manage the situation using onboard pumps. Despite operating at a reduced capacity—carrying 572 tons instead of its 890-ton limit—the structural integrity of the ship continued to deteriorate during its journey to the Angtihara Customs Station. Upon arriving in Bangladeshi waters on Sunday night, the vessel was deemed unfit for further navigation toward the Port of Mongla.

To prevent the ship from obstructing the main shipping channel, authorities have moved it to a shallow bank near the Sundarbans, where it is currently tethered to trees. Customs officials and local police have deployed additional high-capacity pumps to keep the vessel afloat, noting that the engine room would have already submerged without constant intervention. Observations from the scene indicate that water has pooled more than a foot deep over the cargo within the forward hatch.

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The incident has drawn immediate attention from the Forest Department, which is maintaining a round-the-clock watch to mitigate the risk of an environmental disaster within the mangrove ecosystem. Officials have urged the immediate transshipment of the fly ash to another vessel to stabilize the situation.

A formal general diary has been filed at the Koyra Police Station regarding the incident. As the vessel awaits further instructions, authorities are working to coordinate the removal of the cargo to prevent the ship from foundering in the sensitive riverine region. The vessel is part of the established Bangladesh-India protocol route, which remains a vital transit point for industrial materials used in the domestic cement industry.