A Bangladeshi-owned bulk carrier found itself in distress after GPS jamming caused it to veer off course and run aground near the Russian port of Ust-Luga in late December. The vessel remained stranded for weeks without immediate assistance, leaving its crew in a desperate situation.
Stranded Without Help
The vessel, Meghna Princess, is operated by Meghna Group, Bangladesh’s largest shipping company. According to The Business Standard and the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA), the ship struck an underwater rock, severely damaging its hull and propeller, which led to flooding in multiple tanks.
At the time of the incident, the Meghna Princess was carrying fertilizer from St. Petersburg and was set to load an additional 25,000 tonnes of cargo at Ust-Luga when disaster struck.
Despite multiple distress calls, Russian port authorities failed to respond for an extended period, leaving the crew stranded. With food supplies running out, they were forced to melt snow for drinking water to survive.
International Intervention Saves Crew
The ordeal finally took a turn when the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stepped in. Their intervention led to a Russian salvage tug being deployed to assist the vessel. According to AIS data, the Meghna Princess was successfully refloated and was moving at a slow pace as of last Thursday.
Growing Concern Over GPS Jamming Risks
This incident highlights growing concerns over GPS jamming, which poses a serious threat to global shipping. African cargo operators and maritime authorities should take note, as disruptions like these can impact trade routes and supply chains. The vulnerability of vessels navigating critical shipping corridors, including those connecting Africa to major global markets, remains a pressing issue.
