Immigration officials at Paradip Port detected a 40-year-old Ethiopian stowaway aboard the Bangladesh-bound cargo vessel MV Akij Pearl (IMO 9291080) on Monday, police said on Tuesday.
Details of the Incident
The bulk carrier, built in 2005 and sailing under the Bangladesh flag, had arrived from Djibouti carrying limestone. During a preliminary inquiry, the man was identified as Abay Tadess Andnet, who allegedly sneaked into the vessel at Djibouti port on December 30 last year.
The ship’s captain alerted immigration, customs, port authorities, police, and other agencies about the stowaway. Security was tightened at the port following the detection. Officials from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Coast Guard, marine police, customs, and port authorities jointly questioned the man.
Travel and Interrogation
“After completion of formalities, the vessel sailed for Chittagong port in Bangladesh on Tuesday,” said Paradip police station IIC Babita Dehuri. During interrogation, the man told officials that extreme poverty in his country had forced him to take the risk in search of better economic opportunities in a developed nation.
Police said standard protocol was followed, with information shared with relevant port and security agencies across the state and the Centre. The incident has raised security concerns at Paradip Port, with locals flagging the need for stricter surveillance.
Broader Implications
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maritime security, particularly at ports handling international cargo. The discovery of a stowaway underscores the need for enhanced screening procedures and cooperation between port authorities and security agencies to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Local residents have expressed concerns about potential vulnerabilities, urging authorities to implement more robust monitoring systems. The port administration is reviewing current protocols to address these issues.
