The UK P&I Club have received the following bulletin from local correspondents Interport Maritime Ltd, regarding ship-to-ship transfer operations in Chittagong.

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"There had been considerable increase in the number of vessels calling the port of Chittagong, resulting in congestion at the Chittagong Outer Anchorage as most of the vessels carrying bulk cargo discharge their bulk cargoes into the lighter barges by Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer operation at outer anchorage. "Last year, average number of vessels lying at anchorage at any time was between 60 and 90. The increase in the number of vessels in an anchorage open to South West Monsoon, with strong prevailing current (between 4 to 6 knots) and poor holding ground have contributed to a large number of accidents."

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