After being stranded in the Persian Gulf for over a month due to the Middle Eastern conflict, the Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Banglar Joyatra has resumed its journey through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The ship, operated by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), carries a crew of 31 Bangladeshi seafarers.
According to MarineTraffic monitoring, the vessel departed Ras Al Khair port in Saudi Arabia early Wednesday. By midday, it was anchored at the outer area of Dammam port, proceeding at a speed of 8.3 knots. The ship’s draft is 10.8 metres, indicating its substantial cargo load.
Chief Engineer Rashedul Hasan stated, “We had been anchored at Dammam with approximately 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Ras Al Khair. With the ceasefire now in effect, we have lifted anchor and are navigating towards the Strait of Hormuz. Once we pass Hormuz, our destination is Cape Town port in South Africa.” He noted that the vessel was 425 nautical miles from Hormuz, and the crossing is expected to take around 40 hours.
BSC officials reported that the vessel initially entered the Persian Gulf on 2 February, carrying goods from India. After loading steel coils at a Qatari port, it reached Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates on 27 February. Hostilities escalated following attacks by the United States and Israel in Iran on 28 February, leaving the vessel stranded in a high-risk zone.
The vessel’s journey had been temporarily halted after cargo operations concluded at Jebel Ali on 11 March. Although new cargo was scheduled for loading at a Kuwaiti port, ongoing regional conflict made transit unsafe. Following the recent ceasefire, BSC authorised the ship to resume its passage through Hormuz.
MV Banglar Joyatra: Voyage Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Flag | Bangladesh |
| Owner | Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) |
| Crew Members | 31 |
| Cargo | 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser |
| Current Speed | 8.3 knots |
| Draft | 10.8 metres |
| Last Port of Departure | Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia |
| Current Location | Dammam port outer anchorage |
| Distance to Strait of Hormuz | 425 nautical miles |
| Final Destination | Cape Town, South Africa |
The resumption of MV Banglar Joyatra’s journey represents a critical step in ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi maritime personnel and maintaining shipping operations in the Persian Gulf, a region that continues to pose challenges due to geopolitical tensions.