Chattogram-bound cargo ship sinks near Phuket; all 16 Bangladeshis rescued

Dhaka: A Panama-flagged cargo vessel en route from Malaysia to Chattogram sank off the coast of Thailand's Phuket after developing a severe list. Officials confirmed all 16 Bangladeshi crew members on board were rescued safely.

The vessel, MV Sealloyd Arc, began listing sharply around 15:00 local time while sailing approximately four nautical miles off Phuket. As the situation deteriorated rapidly, the ship’s master declared “abandon ship” and sent out a distress signal.

Thai maritime authorities responded promptly to the emergency and evacuated all crew members by 15:50. Bangladesh’s Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JMRCC) later confirmed that the rescue operation was completed successfully.

A follow-up update from the ship’s management said the MV Sealloyd Arc subsequently sank. The incident site was later inspected by the Thai Navy along with representatives from the vessel’s insurance company.

According to JMRCC, the container vessel was carrying 229 containers from Port Klang, Malaysia, and was scheduled to call at Chattogram as its next port of discharge. The cause of the sudden listing has not yet been disclosed.

The rescued crew members, all Bangladeshi nationals, are currently staying at a hotel in Phuket. Officials said they are in good physical and mental condition and are receiving necessary assistance.

The vessel is owned by Singapore-based Sealloyd Shipping Lines and managed in Bangladesh by NAFF Marin Services. Alvi Lines Bangladesh is acting as the local agent.

JMRCC Assistant Director Md. Zakir Hossain said Bangladeshi authorities are maintaining close coordination with Thai officials, the ship’s agents, and other stakeholders to complete legal and administrative formalities and arrange the crew’s repatriation at the earliest.

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