The MV Banglar Joyjatra, operated by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), was unable to safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. On Thursday, the vessel attempted to return to Bangladesh through the strategic waterway but was compelled to divert back into the Persian Gulf after reports of potential missile threats.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek confirmed that 31 Bangladeshi sailors remain on board. In response to the security concerns, a formal communication has been sent to the Ministry of Shipping, requesting coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic measures to safeguard the vessel and crew.
MarineTraffic records indicate that MV Banglar Joyjatra is currently anchored off Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. According to crew reports, on 12 March, while the ship was approximately 66 nautical miles from the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, intelligence of a possible missile strike was received. Following instructions from the UAE Coast Guard, the vessel relocated to a secure offshore anchorage.
The vessel had originally left India carrying cargo and successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on 2 February to enter the Persian Gulf. It subsequently loaded steel coils from a Qatari port, reaching Jebel Ali, UAE, on 27 February. The recent escalation in Middle Eastern hostilities, following missile attacks by Israel and the United States and Iran’s rapid countermeasures, rendered the planned route unsafe for merchant shipping.
BSC had intended for the vessel to reload cargo at a Kuwaiti port. However, due to the volatile security environment, the decision was made to prioritise safety and divert the ship to a secure location.
A concise summary of MV Banglar Joyjatra’s recent movements is presented below:
| Date | Operation | Location / Port |
|---|---|---|
| 2 February | Transit through Strait of Hormuz | Persian Gulf |
| 27 February | Loaded steel coils | Jebel Ali, UAE |
| 11 March | Discharged cargo | Jebel Ali, UAE |
| 12 March | Attempted Strait of Hormuz entry | 66 nautical miles from strait entrance |
| Current | Anchored at safe offshore location | Sharjah, UAE |
Commodore Malek noted that, while the vessel remains in the Hormuz region, plans are being made to reload cargo from Qatar once conditions stabilise.
This is reminiscent of the 2022 incident during the Russia–Ukraine conflict when the MV Banglar Samriddhi was struck by a Russian missile. That attack resulted in the death of engineer Hadisur Rahman and necessitated the rescue of 28 Bangladeshi crew members.
BSC and the Ministry of Shipping are now intensifying diplomatic and security measures to ensure that Bangladeshi vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz safely in the current turbulent geopolitical climate.