CHITTAGONG: A cargo ship that developed mechanical problems in Bangladesh’s Chittagong port channel struck and damaged three navy vessels, officials said on Tuesday.

Navy officials said the 100 metre container vessel severely damaged three gunboats anchored at the navy’s jetties.

“The collisions occured when a container vessel was approaching a berth near Bangladesh navy jetties in the port channel on Monday evening,” a senior official of Chittagong Port Authority said.

There have been frequent collisions between merchant and navy ships in Bangladesh waters in the past, and commercial operators have long been pressing for the navy fleet to be removed from the busy channel.

In 2003 alone, 18 navy ships were damaged in collisions and the navy won compensation totalling $10 million. —Reuters