Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has strongly refuted recent media reports regarding alleged looting on commercial vessels at the Chattogram outer anchorage, terming the claims regarding specific ships baseless while detailing its intensive anti-crime operations to secure the country's maritime hubs.

The official clarification was issued on Saturday afternoon by Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Suzon in a press release.

Addressing recent news coverage published under the headline "Looting on 3 Ships at Chattogram Outer Anchorage, Security Concerns," the Coast Guard presented a detailed breakdown of the incidents. According to the official statement, prompt action was taken immediately upon being notified regarding two of the three vessels in question. Because of the swift intervention, no cargo or equipment was stolen, leading the respective ship authorities to issue No Objection Certificates and Letters of Appreciation to the Bangladesh Coast Guard. The media claims that valuable equipment was looted from those two vessels are entirely unfounded.

Regarding the third vessel, the Coast Guard stated that they were not informed at the time of the incident. The shipping agent reported the matter nearly seven hours and fifteen minutes later, following which a boarding team was instantly dispatched to launch recovery operations, which remain ongoing. The Coast Guard further noted that under Chattogram Port Authority regulations, registered watchmen are required to be deployed on such vessels, but no authorized watchmen were present on duty during the incident, exposing a significant security gap.

In light of these events, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has appealed to media outlets to verify facts with relevant authorities prior to publication to protect the nation's maritime reputation and international trade stability.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward crime at sea, the Coast Guard disclosed that its East Zone has conducted 3,485 patrols and 112 successful operations over the past six months, detaining 34 smugglers and petty thieves along with various illegal goods. Authorities noted that criminals frequently loiter around anchored commercial vessels under the guise of fishing or other pretexts. Demonstrating continued vigilance, BCG Outpost Patenga launched a special operation last night, detaining 41 individuals alongside 16 watercraft.

The Coast Guard emphasized that it remains on round-the-clock duty to protect the blue economy and suppress piracy, theft, and smuggling across coastal and riverine regions.

Acknowledging existing constraints in manpower, boats, and specialized equipment, the media officer added that ongoing government initiatives—including plans to procure two state-of-the-art helicopters and expand personnel strength—will significantly enhance the force's operational capabilities moving forward.