Adviser on Shipping and Textiles and Jute Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee in the incident of fire incident in MT Captain Nicholas ship and BLPG Sophia ship stationed at Kutubdia Anchorage area of ​​Chittagong.

In view of this, on Sunday (13 October 2024), the Chittagong Port Authority formed an eight-member investigation committee.
Chittagong Port Authority member (Harbor and Marine) Commodore M Fazlar Rahman has been made the head of the investigation committee.

The committee has representatives from Navy, Coast Guard, Fire Service and Civil Defence, DGFI, NSI, Directorate of Shipping and other agencies. The committee has been asked to submit its report within the next five working days.

Inquiry committee to find out the cause of fire on board MT Captain Nicholas and BLPG Sophia, International standards of seamen of ships and vessels in LPG transport, Assessment of transportation and suitability of transported LPG, assessment of damages and liability due to fire accidents, formulation of recommendations to prevent such accidents in future and review of any related matters have been asked to submit a report.

It should be noted that the rescue team of the Coast Guard and the Navy rescued 31 people alive from the ship. However, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were not immediately known. The Shipping Adviser has expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of fire on ships including the said incident. At the same time, he ordered the authorities to provide extra security to the ships by taking maximum precautions.