Robbery - Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

01 June 2025 : 2100hrs UTC

Location:

Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh

Latitude/Longitude: 

22° 13' 18.00" N, 91° 44' 24.60" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag & Status

Bulk Carrier, Anchored

Incident Type:

Robbery

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On June 1, 2025, at approximately 21:00 UTC, a robbery occurred aboard a Bulk Carrier anchored at Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh. Ten robbers boarded the vessel, with one individual armed with a knife. The perpetrators gained access to the ship's forward storeroom. Upon detection, the crew raised the alarm and mustered, prompting the robbers to flee with stolen stores. The incident was promptly reported to port control. All crew members were reported safe following the incident.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported

- Local Maritime Authority

Stolen items

- Ship Supplies

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a relatively common tactic employed by opportunistic criminals in anchorages: targeting ships at rest with minimal security presence. The robbers' focus on the forward storeroom suggests they had prior knowledge of ship layouts and were seeking easily transportable, valuable items. The crew's quick response in raising the alarm and mustering proved effective in driving off the attackers without further escalation, highlighting the importance of well-drilled security procedures. However, the initial success of ten individuals in boarding undetected indicates potential vulnerabilities in the vessel's watch-keeping or physical security measures.

Recommendations

- Implement enhanced watch rotations and utilize night vision equipment while at anchor.

- Secure and regularly audit all ship stores, particularly in easily accessible areas.

- Conduct frequent security drills to maintain crew readiness for rapid response.

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