Cargo Ship Slams Into Bangladesh Fuel Pier, Explosion Triggers Fire, Port Operations Suspended After Blast

Chittagong, Bangladesh— A cargo ship plowed into a fuel terminal pier in Chittagong Port just before dawn, rupturing pipelines and igniting a fireball that burned for more than three hours.

The vessel, the MV Shah Amanat, was inbound from Singapore with containers when it lost steering in strong tidal current, port pilots said. It struck Pier 7, where fuel loading arms connect to shore tanks. The impact tore a fuel line. Diesel sprayed across the jetty and caught fire within seconds.

Two terminal workers were injured in the initial blast. They were thrown back by the force and suffered burns. A dock supervisor said, "We heard a grinding metal sound, then a flash. The whole pier shook. We ran, the fire was everywhere." The ship's bow was lodged against the concrete structure.

Fire crews from the port and the Bangladesh Navy responded. They used foam to contain the blaze as it ran along the pipeline trench. The fire threatened two adjacent storage tanks holding 5,000 tons of fuel. Tugboats moved three other vessels away from the berth to prevent spread.

Chittagong Port Authority shut down all operations on the eastern side. Loading was stopped, trucks were turned back at the gate. Black smoke was visible across the city. Residents near the port reported a strong fuel smell and a low rumble that woke them.

The ship's captain claimed a mechanical failure in the bow thruster. Port engineers said they will examine the vessel's engine logs and the harbor's current data. The fuel terminal, operated by Padma Oil, is one of the country's main distribution points.

Bangladesh's energy ministry sent a team to assess structural damage. Early reports suggest the pier deck is cracked and two loading arms are destroyed. The pipeline section will need full replacement. Fuel supply to northern districts could face delays.

Shipping lines have been warned to expect berthing delays of at least 48 hours. Insurers have been notified.

The fire was declared under control by 9:30 a.m., but hot spots remained. Investigators stayed off the pier until temperatures dropped.