Container ship hits Hooghly riverbank at Diamond Harbour, no injuries
Synopsis
A Singapore-flagged container ship lost steering control on the notoriously treacherous River Hooghly and rammed the bank just metres from a busy ferry ghat at Diamond Harbour. With no injuries but a damaged embankment and a stranded vessel awaiting the tide, the incident is a fresh reminder of the persistent navigational hazards on one of India's most commercially vital waterways.
Key Takeaways
MV Nawata Bhum , a Singapore-flagged container ship, struck the Hooghly riverbank at Diamond Harbour on 12 August .
The vessel is 147.82 metres long with a deadweight tonnage of 13,852 tonnes , sailing from Port Klang, Malaysia to the Port of Kolkata .
A possible steering gear failure combined with strong currents caused the ship to miss a bend and hit the bank near the Nurpur ferry ghat .
No injuries were reported; the ship's hull is intact and tugs are deployed to refloat it at the next high tide.
The embankment sustained damage; similar incidents have been recorded near Geonkhali in East Midnapore district .
A Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Nawata Bhum, ran into the riverbank at Diamond Harbour in West Bengal on Wednesday, 12 August, after reportedly losing steering control amid strong currents on the River Hooghly. No injuries were reported, though locals remained on edge as the impact occurred close to the Nurpur ferry ghat, and the embankment sustained damage.
What Happened
The 147.82-metre-long vessel, carrying a deadweight tonnage of 13,852 tonnes, was en route from Port Klang, Malaysia to the Port of Kolkata when it failed to complete a turn at a sharp bend in the river at Diamond Harbour, approximately 50 km south of Kolkata. Officials said a combination of massive turbulence and a possible steering gear failure caused the ship to veer off course and strike the bank.
'It hit the riverbank close to the Nurpur ferry ghat. After realising that the steering was jammed, the ship's master alerted people on the bank by constantly blowing its horn. Fortunately, there were no ferries nearby, or they might have been crushed,' an official said.
Why the Hooghly Is Particularly Hazardous
The River Hooghly is notorious among mariners for its tight bends, shifting sandbars, and unpredictable tidal currents. Ships navigating from the sea toward Kolkata must adhere strictly to a designated navigation channel. According to officials, steering gear failures are not uncommon at such bends, particularly on single-screw vessels. 'The strong current may also have played a part,' an official added. This is not an isolated incident — similar accidents have occurred in the past near Geonkhali in East Midnapore district.
Port Authority Response
The ship's pilot contacted the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) immediately after the collision. The SMPA mandates that its pilots board all vessels navigating the river to guide them safely through the channel. Tugs have since been dispatched to the site and are reportedly waiting for the next high tide to refloat the vessel. Officials confirmed that the ship's hull remains intact, and the MV Nawata Bhum is expected to sail safely to Kolkata with tug assistance once refloated.
Local Concerns and Embankment Damage
The proximity of the impact to the Nurpur ferry ghat heightened anxiety among local residents and commuters who depend on the ghat for daily river crossings. The embankment at the collision site sustained damage, though the extent has not yet been officially quantified. Authorities have not indicated a timeline for embankment repairs.
Point of View
Yet the proximity to an active ferry ghat underscores how thin the margin for error is. The SMPA pilot system is meant to be the last line of defence; questions will inevitably arise about whether the navigation protocols are adequate for the tonnage now transiting the river. With Kolkata port handling growing container volumes, the pressure on this ageing waterway corridor is only rising.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the MV Nawata Bhum at Diamond Harbour?
The MV Nawata Bhum, a Singapore-flagged container ship, struck the Hooghly riverbank at Diamond Harbour on 12 August after reportedly suffering a steering gear failure amid strong river currents. The vessel was travelling from Port Klang, Malaysia to the Port of Kolkata when it failed to navigate a sharp bend in the river.
Were any people injured in the Diamond Harbour ship accident?
No injuries were reported. The ship's master sounded the horn continuously to warn people on the bank after realising the steering had jammed, and no ferries were in the immediate vicinity at the time of impact.
What damage did the accident cause?
The collision damaged the riverbank embankment near the Nurpur ferry ghat. However, the hull of the MV Nawata Bhum was confirmed to be intact, meaning the vessel itself can sail once refloated.
How will the stranded ship be recovered?
Tugs have been dispatched to Diamond Harbour and are waiting for the next high tide to pull the vessel free. Officials confirmed the ship can safely sail to Kolkata with tug assistance after refloating.
Why is the River Hooghly considered dangerous for large ships?
The Hooghly is known for its sharp bends, shifting sandbars, and strong tidal currents, requiring vessels to follow a strict navigation channel. Steering gear failures are reportedly more common at bends, especially on single-screw ships, and similar accidents have occurred previously near Geonkhali in East Midnapore district.
