Stranded Bangladeshi vessel begins journey toward Strait of Hormuz following US-Iran ceasefire
The vessel, owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, had been stranded with 31 Bangladeshi sailors since 11 March, after unloading cargo at Jebel Ali Port.
A Bangladesh-flagged vessel, which had been stranded for 28 days in the Persian Gulf following the US-Israel war with Iran, has lifted anchor after a ceasefire and resumed its journey toward the Strait of Hormuz.
MV Banglar Joyjatra set sail from Saudi Arabia at 8am Bangladesh time today (8 April), after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire.
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The vessel, owned by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, had been stranded with 31 Bangladeshi sailors since 11 March, after unloading cargo at Jebel Ali Port.
Commodore Mahmudul Malek, managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, told The Business Standard that the ship departed from Saudi Arabia's Rass Al Khair Port carrying around 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser.
"It takes about 40 hours to reach the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz from there. Our instruction is for the vessel to remain in a safe position before crossing. After monitoring the situation and communicating with Iranian authorities, the ship will cross the strait upon receiving instructions from Bangladesh," he said.
According to ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic, as of 2pm the vessel was sailing in the Persian Gulf after departing Ras Al Khair Port, moving at a speed of 9.50 knots with a draft of 10.80 metres.
BSC data shows the vessel entered the Persian Gulf on 2 February after crossing the Strait of Hormuz while carrying cargo from India. It later loaded steel coils from a port in Qatar and reached Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates on 27 February.
The following day, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the Middle East and rapidly escalating the conflict.
After unloading cargo on 11 March, the vessel was scheduled to load new cargo from a port in Kuwait. However, due to the ongoing conflict, BSC decided to bring the ship back to safety from the high-risk area. Although it initially began its return journey toward the Strait of Hormuz, it had to turn back due to security concerns.
Following the ceasefire, the vessel has now resumed its journey, with authorities closely monitoring the situation before allowing it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
No decision yet on crude oil tanker Nordic Pollux
A tanker, Nordic Pollux, carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil worth around Tk600 crore for Bangladesh has been stranded at Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura port since 3 March.
Commodore Mahmudul Malek told TBS, "We have not yet received clearance for any vessel to pass. However, it will take 38–40 hours to reach the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. That is why Banglar Joyjatra has already set sail. We are trying to obtain clearance within this time."
He added that no decision has yet been made regarding Nordic Pollux. "It is a US company's vessel. It will begin its journey once clearance is granted."
