Bangladeshi Vessel Resumes Voyage Through Hormuz Strait

Following the recent ceasefire in the Middle East, the Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Banglar Joyatra, which had been stranded in the Persian Gulf within the Strait of Hormuz, has resumed its journey. The ship, owned by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), carries a crew of 31 Bangladeshi seafarers.

According to MarineTraffic, the vessel departed the Ras Al Khair port in Saudi Arabia early Wednesday morning. By noon, it was observed at the outer anchorage of Dammam port, moving at a speed of 8.3 knots. The vessel’s draft stands at 10.8 metres.

Chief Engineer Rashedul Hasan told Prothom Alo at noon, “We had been at the Dammam port anchorage carrying nearly 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Ras Al Khair. With the ceasefire now in effect, we have lifted anchor and are proceeding towards the Strait of Hormuz. After crossing Hormuz, the vessel will head to Cape Town port in South Africa.” He added that the ship was 425 nautical miles from Hormuz and expects the crossing to take approximately 40 hours.

The BSC reported that MV Banglar Joyatra entered the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on 2 February, transporting goods from India. It later loaded steel coils at a Qatari port and reached Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates on 27 February. The following day, military attacks by the United States and Israel in Iran escalated into broader conflict across the region, leaving the vessel stranded.

Following the ceasefire, the ship has resumed its voyage, having been safely anchored since the conflict erupted. BSC officials explained that after unloading cargo at Jebel Ali on 11 March, the vessel was scheduled to load new cargo at a Kuwaiti port. However, due to security concerns amid the conflict, a decision was made to temporarily delay its journey. With hostilities suspended, the vessel is now continuing its course through the strategic waterway.

MV Banglar Joyatra: Key Information

The successful resumption of MV Banglar Joyatra’s voyage marks a significant relief for Bangladeshi maritime operations in the Persian Gulf, highlighting both the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing challenges of shipping in conflict-affected regions.