MV Banglar Joyjatra Finally Clears the Strait of Hormuz

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation's (BSC) vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra has finally crossed the Strait of Hormuz after remaining stranded in the Persian Gulf region for more than three and a half months amid tensions stemming from the Iran–US conflict.

The vessel safely transited the strategic waterway at around 3:00am on Tuesday and is now en route to Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates for refuelling and other formalities.

BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek confirmed the development, saying all 31 Bangladeshi sailors and crew members aboard the vessel are safe. Additional Chief Officer Pronoy Saha, currently serving on the ship, also confirmed the successful passage via text message.

According to BSC, MV Banglar Joyjatra entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on 2 February. After loading steel coils at a port in Qatar, it arrived at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE on 27 February.

The following day, regional tensions escalated into a broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, prompting Iranian authorities to impose strict controls on commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. After unloading its cargo at Jebel Ali on 11 March, the vessel was scheduled to sail to Kuwait. However, due to the deteriorating security situation, BSC decided to move the ship away from the conflict zone. It later loaded 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser at Saudi Arabia's Ras Al Khair Port for shipment to Cape Town, South Africa.

Although ready to depart, the vessel remained stranded at Ras Al Khair because of restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Following a ceasefire announcement between Iran and the United States, MV Banglar Joyjatra departed Ras Al Khair on 8 April bound for Cape Town. However, it was halted again by the Iranian Coast Guard on 10 April while attempting to transit the strait.

The ship subsequently took shelter at the outer anchorage of Oman’s Mina Saqr Port.

BSC said that recent diplomatic progress between Iran and the United States, coupled with sustained efforts by the Bangladesh government, eventually enabled the vessel to secure clearance and complete the crossing.

Built in 2018, the bulk carrier has a carrying capacity of 38,894 deadweight tonnes (DWT). It is currently heading towards Fujairah, where bunkering operations and clearance procedures will be completed.

BSC confirmed that all 31 crew members remain safe and in good health.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), around 1,600 vessels remain stranded in waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran imposed restrictions on the vital shipping route shortly after the conflict erupted on 28 February, requiring vessels to obtain permission before transiting the passage.

With regional tensions showing signs of easing, MV Banglar Joyjatra has now completed its long-awaited journey through one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints.