Experts Point to Possible Mystery
From Our Correspondent, Chattogram: A Panama-flagged container vessel, SEALLOYD ARC (IMO: 8682036), carrying 297 containers and bound for Chattogram, has sunk in the Andaman Sea near the coast of Phuket, Thailand. In a major relief, all 16 Bangladeshi crew members, including the master, were rescued safely. The vessel is now completely submerged.
According to local agents and multiple sources, the ship is owned by Singapore-based Sealloyd Shipping Lines and was sailing from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Chattogram. On 7 February, at around 3:00 pm local time, the vessel suddenly listed at an angle of nearly 30 degrees while navigating just four nautical miles off the Phuket coast. Considering the situation extremely dangerous, the ship’s master, Captain Sheikh Munir Ahmed, immediately ordered an “abandon ship” and transmitted a distress signal.
Rapid Rescue Operation
Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Assistant Director of the Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JMRCC), said that within 50 minutes of receiving the distress alert, the Thai Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre carried out a swift and efficient operation and rescued all 16 crew members. The rescued seafarers are currently staying at a hotel in Phuket and are reported to be physically stable and safe.
Experts Raise Questions Over the Incident
The incident has triggered serious doubts among maritime experts. An experienced master mariner, who has extensive experience navigating large vessels through the Andaman Sea, described the sinking as highly unusual. He pointed out that during this period of the year, sea conditions in the Andaman Sea are generally calm.
“In such calm conditions, it is difficult to explain how a modern container vessel could suddenly list at 30 degrees and sink,” he said. According to him, it remains unclear whether the incident was caused by a mechanical failure or if there were other underlying factors involved. He stressed that only a proper and detailed investigation would be able to uncover the actual cause of the sinking.
Current Status and Environmental Measures
Bangladeshi ship management company Naf Marine Services and local agent Alvi Lines Bangladesh confirmed that SEALLOYD ARC has now fully sunk. Officials from the Thai Navy and representatives of the vessel’s insurance company have already inspected the accident site. Operations are underway to remove oil slicks and prevent any marine pollution.
JMRCC officials further stated that once all legal and administrative formalities are completed, arrangements will be made to bring the 16 Bangladeshi seafarers back to Bangladesh at the earliest possible time.
The sinking of SEALLOYD ARC has drawn significant attention within maritime circles, with industry observers awaiting the investigation findings to determine the true cause behind the incident.
