Kolkata, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Singapore-flagged container ship struck the bank of the Hooghly river near Diamond Harbour in West Bengal on Wednesday after encountering strong turbulence and a suspected steering gear problem, triggering concern among locals as the accident occurred close to a ferry ghat.
No one was injured in the incident, though the collision damaged a section of the river embankment.
The vessel, MV Nawata Bhum, was carrying containers from Port Klang in Malaysia to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. Officials said the 147.82-metre-long ship, with a deadweight tonnage of 13,852 tonnes, was negotiating a bend at Diamond Harbour, around 50 km south of Kolkata, when it failed to complete the turn and hit the riverbank.
The collision occurred near Nurpur ferry ghat. According to an official, the ship’s master realised that the steering had jammed and repeatedly sounded the horn to alert people on the bank.
“Fortunately, there were no ferries nearby, or they might have been crushed,” the official said.
The Hooghly is characterised by sharp bends and river bars, requiring vessels arriving from the sea to remain within the designated navigation channel. Officials said steering gear can sometimes malfunction while vessels are recovering from a turn, particularly in single-screw ships, while the strong river current may also have contributed to the incident.
The ship’s pilot immediately informed the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) following the collision. SMPA pilots accompany vessels navigating the river and guide them through the channel.
Tugs have been sent to the site and are expected to assist in moving the vessel during the next high tide. Officials said the ship’s hull has not suffered damage and that it can proceed safely towards Kolkata with tug assistance.
Similar incidents involving vessels have previously been reported near Geonkhali in East Midnapore district.
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