US sanctions leave imported ship stranded at Chattogram port, importer to send it back

A major chemical tanker imported for scrapping has become stranded at Chattogram's outer anchorage after being placed under fresh US sanctions, forcing the importer to send the vessel back.

The 44,800-tonne tanker 'Maymei' arrived at Chattogram's outer anchorage on May 22 but was blacklisted by the US State Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control on May 28 . The sanctions were imposed over allegations that the vessel was involved in transporting Iranian petrochemical products in July 2024 .

The sanctions have also targeted the Hong Kong-based owner, Ever Shining Limited, and another of its vessels, 'Flora', which is accused of carrying Iranian petrochemical cargoes on multiple occasions since 2023 .

The vessel was sold for scrap at an estimated $4.96 million , approximately Tk 61 crore. However, with the sanctions in place, the ship has been unable to enter the shipyard.

Mohammed Showkat Ali Chowdhury, chairman of importing firm SN Corporation, confirmed that the vessel has been unable to enter the yard due to the sanctions . Nazmul Hossain Khan, manager of the company's Shipbreaking Yard-1, said the vessel remains anchored at the outer anchorage and the company has taken steps to send it back .

Industry insiders say this is an extremely rare and unprecedented situation for Bangladesh's shipbreaking sector, which has left importers facing significant financial losses and created new uncertainty in the vital industry.

The US has intensified its 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran under President Donald Trump, with the latest specific sanctions targeting vessels awaiting scrapping in Bangladesh . Ship recycling market reports indicate that local banks and authorities are unwilling to permit entry of vessels that violate US and international laws, as even local banks are reportedly refusing to negotiate on such tonnage . This has left a large 1997-built VLCC also stranded outside the port .