Highlights
- A Bangladeshi ship owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation is currently stuck near the Strait of Hormuz.
- The vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra has 31 Bangladeshi sailors on board.
- The ship turned back due to risk of missile attacks in the region.
- BSC has requested diplomatic assistance from the Ministry of Shipping.
- The vessel is now anchored off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
A cargo ship owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation has become stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The vessel, MV Banglar Joyjatra, currently has 31 Bangladeshi sailors on board. The situation has raised concern as the area is considered highly risky because of military tensions.
Ship Turned Back Due to Missile Threat
The ship recently attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz while returning home. However, due to the risk of possible missile attacks, the vessel changed its route and moved back toward the Persian Gulf.
To ensure the safety of the ship and its crew, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation has sent a letter to the Ministry of Shipping seeking diplomatic assistance. The information was confirmed by the corporation’s Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek.
Ship Currently Anchored Near Sharjah
According to ship-tracking platform Marine Traffic, the vessel is currently anchored in the outer anchorage area off the coast of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Sources from Bangladesh Shipping Corporation said that the ship left India on 2 February carrying cargo and entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. Later, it loaded steel coils from a port in Qatar and delivered them to Jebel Ali Port.
Soon after, tensions escalated in the region following a joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, which led to retaliatory strikes by Iran across different parts of the Middle East.
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Decision to Return for Safety
Due to the worsening security situation, the ship’s authorities decided to cancel plans for new cargo transport and return safely. However, while moving toward the Strait of Hormuz, the ship received security alerts and stopped advancing.
Captain Md. Shafiqul Islam said that since the conflict began, ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has almost stopped, and several vessels in the region have faced missile or drone attacks. He added that the ship’s next destination was Mumbai in India, but crossing the strait is currently not possible.
Crew Safe and Supplies Sufficient
Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said that all crew members are safe and in good condition.He confirmed that the ship has enough food, drinking water, and fuel for several months, and the sailors are being regularly instructed to stay safe.
The vessel will remain anchored near Sharjah for now, and discussions are underway about possibly carrying new cargo from Qatar depending on the situation.
Reminder of Past Incident
A similar tragedy occurred in 2022 after the start of the Russia–Ukraine War. A Bangladeshi ship, MV Banglar Samriddhi, was hit by a missile while anchored at Olvia Port in Ukraine. In that attack, Bangladeshi engineer Hadiur Rahman lost his life.
Iran Offers Cooperation
Meanwhile, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, the Ambassador of Iran in Dhaka, said that despite the ongoing conflict, Iran is ready to help Bangladeshi fuel ships cross the Strait of Hormuz safely.
Global Shipping Concern
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important trade routes in the world. International reports say that since the conflict began, at least 18 commercial ships have been attacked in the area.
Joe Kramek, CEO of the World Shipping Council, said sailors are now working in extremely uncertain and dangerous conditions, even if their ships are not directly involved in the conflict.
Source: Channel i
