Video: Singapore-Flagged Container Ship Loses Steering Before Running Aground In India

A Singapore-flagged container ship crashed into the riverbank of the Hooghly River near Diamond Harbour in West Bengal on Aug. 12 after reportedly failing to make a turn.

The 147-metre-long MV Nawata Bhum was carrying containers from Port Klang in Malaysia to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata when the incident happened at about 11 a.m. local time.

The vessel had sailed around 50 km from the port when it failed to recover from a bend in the river, according to MarineTraffic. Strong currents, turbulent conditions and a suspected steering problem have been cited as possible reasons for the accident.

The ship struck the embankment near the Noorpur Ferry Terminal in South 24 Parganas district. Videos shared on social media show the container ship moving towards the riverbank before its bow hit the embankment.

No injuries were reported among the 22 crew members on board. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) also said there were no Singaporeans on the vessel and no pollution had been reported.

Ship loses control near Diamond Harbour

Diamond Harbour is about 50 km south of Kolkata. The Hooghly River has several sharp bends and sandbars, which can make navigation difficult.

The Hans India reported that the ship may have lost steerage after its steering system became jammed.

A local official told the publication that steering gear can sometimes become stuck when a vessel is trying to recover from a turn.

The official said the captain realised there was a problem with the steering and repeatedly sounded the ship’s horn to warn people and other vessels nearby.

Footage from the incident showed no ferry or other boat directly in the ship’s path when it moved towards the riverbank.

The accident happened close to the Noorpur Ferry Terminal. No launch or boat was reportedly stationed there at the time, although the impact caused cracks along the riverbank.

Local administrative officials later visited the site to inspect the damage.

Tugboats pull ship free

The ship’s pilot reported the accident to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority soon after the collision, MarineTraffic reported.

Tugboats were sent to the area and waited for high tide before attempting to move the vessel.

According to AsiaOne, the ship remained aground until about 10.30 p.m. on Aug. 12, when tugboats managed to pull it free.

By 10.20 a.m. on Aug. 13, two tugboats were still attached to the vessel near Diamond Harbour. Its AIS status showed the ship as “at anchor”.

MarineTraffic data showed that the ship made a right turn north of Latpatia at around 10.26 a.m. on Aug. 12. It then continued on a relatively steady course for about 40 minutes before hitting the riverbank.

Singapore authority to investigate

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said the vessel had been refloated and was stable at anchor.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the 22 crew members and no pollution from the incident. It also confirmed that it would investigate the accident.

As the ship’s flag-state authority, MPA has responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

MPA had also investigated the March 2024 accident involving the container ship Dali, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, to determine whether statutory requirements under Singapore’s Merchant Shipping Act had been breached.

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority has also been asked for information about the crew, the condition of the vessel and whether it can continue its voyage to Kolkata.

References: Indian Express, Straits Times