Shipping, Textiles and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (Retired) M Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday said security experts have worked on Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s Oil Tanker explosion and an investigation committee has been formed including BSC representatives to investigate the cause of the fire.
‘The cause of fire will be ascertained after investigation. I don't want to speculate about what happened. The safety issues should be addressed as fire broke out following an explosion . The crude oil will then be transferred from the MT Banglar Shourabh vessel. I have also told BPC to increase the capacity of the terminal’.
He said these to reporters after a view- exchange meeting with the chairman and director of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) at Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) conference room in Chattogram on Sunday afternoon.
In response to a question, the adviser said that BSC MD informed about the incident on the MT Banglar Shourabh at last Friday night. I knew what was happening at every moment. I have asked to investigate into the matter. There is the issue of ship insurance. One person was killed in an explosion on a second oil tanker. The earlier blasts also claimed lives which is very unfortunate. He did not die in the fire. Died due to trauma, doctors can say well. Four people died in the fire on two ships. They were very skilled craftsmen. BSC and related institutions have taken the responsibility of looking after them.
He said, BSC's 5 ships are making huge profits. The fleet of ships in BSC will be bigger inshallah. We need some ships. We have to earn money with this ship. As long as we exist, one thing we can do is to reduce corruption.
The adviser also said that since two vessels were rendered useless by the explosion, other vessels were contacted as alternatives to continue operations on lightering vessels. I thank the Coast Guard, Navy and Port Authority for their prompt action to put out the fire and rescue the 48 people trapped there alive. I was in constant touch with everyone from Naval Chief, Port Chairman, Commander. I kept in touch with them till 4:30 in the morning. They told me all were rescued and one was taken to hospital.
In response to a question of the journalists, the adviser said that a team of the ministry is working on the issue of the purchase of ships. The price that was previously set has increased due to the increase of dollar, but the price of the vessel has also increased, but we are still negotiating. The ministry will take the help of ACC and take appropriate action after investigating the corruption related to the procurement of ships.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) formed an 8-member investigation committee regarding the fire of the oil tanker Banglar Shourabh at Patenga outer anchorage of Chattogram Port.
This committee was formed by an office order signed by BSC Secretary Abu Safayat Md. Shahedul Islam last Saturday afternoon.
Earlier on Friday night, the ship ' MT Banglar Shourabh' owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) caught fire at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port. The fire was brought under control after a few hours. There was no damage to the 11 thousand 55 tons of crude oil contained in it. One person fell into the water and died.
