MANA

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Ship stranded in Chattogram after cargo damage due to water ingress

The 'Mana', carrying 50,071 tonnes of soybeans from Santarem Port, has been stranded at Chattogram port since June 8, 2024, due to a dispute over the quality of the imported soybeans. The vessel has already unloaded 30,000 tonnes of soybeans imported by Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries and Super Oil Refinery Ltd, both owned by TK Group. Due to water entering the ship and compromising the quality of the goods, the importer, Delta Agro Food Industries, and the associated declaring agent halted the unloading of the remaining 20,070 tonnes of soybean. As a result, the bulk carrier has been stranded at Chattogram port for the past three months. According to the ship's owner, Active Maritime Ltd, and its P&I (Protection and Indemnity) company, the vessel has been counting at least $15,000 daily in charter fees due to the importer and declaring agent's non-cooperation. On Sep 6, the ship's owner and captain sought intervention from Chattogram port authorities and Customs to resolve the issue. Representatives have already met with the port chairman and the Customs commissioner to discuss the issue on Sep 10. Captain Andonov, in a letter to the Chittagong Port Authority chairman and the Customs commissioner, stated, "The receivers have a legal duty to take delivery of cargo and submit any claim they may have after taking delivery of all cargo but instead of performing their obligation they are making unlawful demands and pressurising the owners to pay huge amount of money before they take delivery of cargo. This is clearly an act of extortion, and it tarnishes the image of Bangladesh and Chittagong Port for a vessel to remain in port for nearly three months as a result of the action of receivers who are refusing to take delivery or to abandon the cargo." Mohammad Mustafa Haider, the chairman of Delta Agro Food, stated: "A commercial dispute has arisen due to the damage to the goods. The responsibility for the damaged goods lies with the shipowner as they are the custodian of the cargo. This matter is currently in mediation". He further mentioned that the soybeans already unloaded had quality issues as well. According to Seacom Group, the importer's declaring agent, the value of the cargo is $440 per tonne, bringing the total value of the 20,070 tonnes of soybeans to $8.83 million. Zahur Ahmed, director at Seacom, stated: "The quality dispute arose due to water entering the ship's hatches, and the shipowner's delays have prolonged the issue. However, their representative has arrived in Bangladesh, and discussions with the cargo receivers are ongoing. We expect a resolution within a week." A survey conducted on June 11 by the ship's P&I correspondent, Interport, confirmed water damage to the cargo and recommended manual separation of the affected soybeans, which was not done. As a result, the goods have continued to deteriorate over the last three months. According to officials associated with the ship, initially, salvage teams had offered to buy the soybeans for $300 per tonne, but due to the lack of response from the importer and declaring agent, the deal could not proceed. Now, it would be hard to sell these soybeans for even $100 per tonne. Regarding how the damage had taken place, the ship's P&I correspondent told TBS that the vessel came under stormy weather at sea, which caused water to enter three of the five hatches on the ship. It also mentioned that the covers of the three hatches were damaged from before. Shipping industry insiders have expressed concern over the unprecedented delay, warning that such incidents could negatively affect the reputation of Chattogram port. They urged the port and customs authorities to intervene and expedite the resolution of the dispute. CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk confirmed receiving a letter from the shipowner and clarified that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the importer, shipping agent, and P&I club. Once customs clearance and other formalities have been completed and the port's dues have been paid, the port authority was to issue a no objection certificate for the vessel to depart.

Bulkcarrier docked in Curacao for repair of bottom damage

On Nov 2, 2018, at 4.15 p.m. the "Mana" went as the first vessel into the new C-Dry Dock at the Damen Ship Repair Yard in Curacao with the assistance of KTK tugs. The bulkcarrier previously had suffered severe bottom damage in a contact with a floating object. The vessel had to wait for some time for the floating C-dock to be operational. The reason for waiting so long was the fact that repairs will take several months, and other docks were not available for such a long period. Approximately, up to 800 tons of steel was to be replaced in the vessel. The hull damage measured from the bow, all the way to the ER. Owners have reportedly appointed a Columbian surveyor from MTS Brazil. The bulkcarrier left Curacao on April 17, 2019, and headed to Santana, where it arrived on April 23 at 12.45 p.m. It dropped anchor in pos. 00° 3.82' S 051° 6.59' W. Report with photos: https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2018/11/drijvende-dok-damen-shiprepair-curacao-operationeel/