Pirates in Mongla: $58000 Looted in Brutal Attack on Anchored Vessel
Mongla, Bangladesh – May 28, 2025 — A cargo vessel anchored at the western port of Mongla became the site of a harrowing armed robbery earlier this week, as a gang of 14 attackers stormed the ship in the early hours of Monday, May 26. The incident, which officials are describing as a “brutal robbery,” left three crew members injured and underscored growing concerns about maritime security in one of Bangladesh’s key ports.
The vessel targeted in the raid was the Shejyoti, a 5,400 deadweight tonnage (dwt) general cargo ship owned by PNN Shipping Lines, a domestic shipping company. The 95-meter-long vessel has been laid up in the port’s anchorage since June 2024 due to mechanical issues, effectively making it a vulnerable target in the relatively quiet waters near the harbor.
According to a detailed account provided by the ship’s port agent, the gang approached the Shejyoti under cover of darkness aboard a fishing trawler and boarded the vessel without raising an alarm. The attackers, wielding an assortment of locally made weapons, subdued the seven-member crew — including the chief officer — by tying their hands and feet. During the violent raid, three crew members sustained injuries as they were beaten while attempting to resist or raise an alarm.
The gang then systematically looted the ship, making off with a large haul of valuable items and supplies. Among the stolen goods were ropes, mechanical bearings, seven mobile phones belonging to crew members, and a significant quantity of fuel oil. Shipping officials estimate the value of the stolen fuel at around $40,000, with another $18,000 worth of equipment and crew possessions also reported missing.
“This was a highly organized and premeditated attack,” said the port agent, who asked not to be named for security reasons. “This is the third time the Shejyoti has been attacked in the Mongla Port anchorage channel. But this time, it turned violent.”
The injured crew members received First Aid treatment following the ordeal, but maritime officials and union representatives are expressing concern over what they describe as a worsening trend of piracy and theft in Bangladesh’s ports, particularly in Mongla — the country’s second-busiest seaport after Chattogram.
While Mongla has not historically been associated with the same level of maritime crime seen in other global piracy hotspots, recent events suggest an uptick in organized criminal activity targeting ships laid up at anchor.
In March 2025, the Bangladesh Coast Guard intercepted a separate gang reportedly planning to carry out a similar attack in the same port. Five individuals were arrested after Coast Guard personnel, acting on intelligence, boarded a suspicious small boat. Authorities seized locally manufactured sharp weapons and a quantity of illegal narcotics, linking the suspects to previous ship robberies and drug trafficking activities in the area.
That incident followed a 2022 case where another criminal gang was apprehended after looting a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel also anchored in Mongla. In that instance, the Coast Guard successfully recovered stolen ropes, paint, and machinery, emphasizing the recurring pattern of targeting idle vessels.
Despite these previous successes, Monday’s robbery has renewed pressure on port authorities and law enforcement agencies to bolster security measures for ships anchored in the harbor.
“This incident highlights a significant gap in maritime security,” said a spokesperson from the Bangladesh Seafarers’ Union. “Ships at anchorage, especially those laid up or awaiting repairs, are sitting ducks for organized criminals. We urge the government and the Coast Guard to enhance patrols, deploy surveillance, and work closely with port operators to prevent future attacks.”
For its part, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has promised an immediate investigation into the Shejyoti robbery. A spokesperson said increased patrols are being planned for the Mongla anchorage area, and intelligence operations are underway to identify the gang responsible for the attack.
The psychological toll on Shejyoti’s crew has also raised alarms among shipping professionals and labor rights advocates. “No sailor should have to face violence like this while doing their job,” said one maritime labor official. “We need stronger protections, better emergency response protocols, and accountability for those who target seafarers.”
As the investigation continues, calls for action are growing louder. For the men aboard the Shejyoti, the scars of the night’s violence are still fresh, and for Bangladesh’s maritime industry, the incident is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those who live and work at sea.
