Unprecedented Salvage Operation: Prantik Restores Seaworthiness of MV Haian City After Collision Avoiding A Billion Dollar Disaster
Prantik Group
Group of marine companies headquartered in Chattogram, Bangladesh with offices in Dhaka.
We are thrilled to share an incredible maritime achievement with our esteemed followers. The motor vessel Haian City, owned by HAI AN TRANSPORT AND STEVEDORING J.S.C., embarked on a momentous journey from Chittagong Port on April 14, 2022, en route to the Singapore Port. Laden with 1,105 TEUs of containers, including 718 fully loaded units, this Vietnamese vessel encountered a challenging incident on the same day at Kutubdia Anchorage. A collision with another tanker vessel caused substantial damage to the ship's port side, specifically between cargo holds 4 and 5.
Notably, this collision resulted in an unprecedented event in the history of Bangladeshi waters. In response, the ship owners, in collaboration with the vessel insurers, entrusted the critical salvage operation to Prantik Bengal Salvage & Diving. Prantik Bengal, a specialized marine company under the umbrella of Prantik Group headquartered in Chittagong, Bangladesh, was also approved as the salvage contractor by the Chittagong Port Authority. The vessel, carrying approximately $100 million worth of export cargo, necessitated swift and efficient action.
Ensuring utmost safety, the vessel was skillfully brought inside the Karnaphuli River channel, guided by a fleet of five tugs. This endeavor marked a historic moment as a vessel with such a draft had never before entered Chittagong Port. Prantik conducted an underwater inspection of the damaged area and devised a comprehensive salvage plan and methodology, gaining approval from the ship owners, insurers, ClassNKK, and the Chittagong Port Authority.
The salvage process unfolded in two fundamental stages. Firstly, a temporary steel patch measuring 10 meters by 12 meters, constructed from 12 mm thickness steel plate and a 50 mm rubber gasket seal, was expertly employed to seal the breached hole on the port hull. Subsequently, following the dewatering of fuel tanks, bilge tanks, and cargo holds, two steel structure boxes were meticulously fitted into the severely damaged cargo hold side plates. This stage demanded the dedicated efforts of a 40-member salvage crew, working tirelessly for 45 days to restore the vessel's seaworthiness. The underwater attachment of the steel patch to the hull involved precise installation using 104 toggle bolts for a secure seal.
With the successful completion of the sealing work, the dewatering operation commenced, revealing that the shell plates had exerted force on the containers within the cargo holds. To address this challenge promptly and safely, Prantik decided to fabricate steel structure boxes, necessitating the removal of containers from the cargo hold for welding access. Unfortunately, due to the ingress of water, the containers exceeded the safe working limit for the vessel's crane, compelling the decision to cut open the containers and unload the cargo to reduce weight. Prantik's efficient team swiftly constructed, lifted, and installed the boxes on the cargo holds, ensuring diligent welding. Following inspection by the class surveyor and necessary tests, the vessel was certified as seaworthy. The containers were then reloaded onto the ship, and a comprehensive stability calculation was conducted.
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Finally, with immense pride, we share the vessel's triumphant departure from the repair jetty at Chittagong Port, heading toward its next destination, Singapore. The vessel arrived safely, successfully discharging all containers and docking at the shipyard for permanent repairs.
This remarkable salvage operation stands as yet another significant milestone in Prantik's history of exceptional salvage works. Had the containers fallen into the port channel, blocking vital trade routes, the potential costs to the Bangladeshi economy could have exceeded ten figures in USD. Prantik consistently embraces these challenging marine emergency tasks in Bangladeshi waters, completing them with excellence and a deep commitment to serving our nation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the ship owners, insurer surveyors, and the Chittagong Port Authority for their unwavering trust and confidence in Prantik.?
To view the documentary on YouTube please click the following link: