Chemical Tanker MK LION Detained in Chittagong

The chemical tanker MK LION (IMO 9232553), sailing under the Panama flag, was detained by Port State Control authorities in Chittagong following an inspection conducted on 20 Aug 2026. The inspection, carried out under the Indian Ocean MoU regime, identified eight deficiencies, one of which was classified as detainable, prompting authorities to hold the vessel in port. The ISM company responsible for the vessel's management is LION GREAT ENERGY PTE LTD. Port State Control inspections are designed to verify that ships comply with international safety, environmental and labour conventions, and a detention is imposed when deficiencies are serious enough to pose a risk to the vessel, its crew, or the marine environment if it were to proceed to sea. Details of the specific nature of the deficiencies, including the detainable item, have not been disclosed beyond the overall count. The vessel will remain in Chittagong until the identified issues are rectified and the ship is re-inspected to the satisfaction of the Indian Ocean MoU authorities before being cleared to resume operations. Port State Control detentions of chemical tankers typically draw additional scrutiny given the hazardous nature of cargoes carried, and operators are generally required to demonstrate corrective action before release is granted.