‘MV Banglar Joyjatra’ lifts anchor, heads for Strait of Hormuz

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC)-owned vessel “MV Banglar Joyjatra”, which had been stranded in the Persian Gulf with 31 Bangladeshi crew members on board, finally set sail towards the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, following a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.
The vessel lifted anchor from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port early on Wednesday. Carrying 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser, it is expected to reach the Strait of Hormuz within 40 hours.
On Wednesday evening, the ship was proceeding from the outer anchorage of Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port towards Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Travelling at a speed of 9.3 knots, the vessel is anticipated to arrive at its destination around 9pm today.
“Following the ceasefire, the ship has lifted anchor and is moving forward,” said Commodore Mahmudul Malek, Managing Director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC).
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are also seeking permission from the IRGC,” he added.
Chief Engineer Rashedul Hasan reported that the vessel was approximately 425 nautical miles from the Strait, navigating cautiously through Gulf waters.
“It should take around 37 hours to reach the Strait, but we are proceeding slowly to assess the security situation. We expect to arrive in about 40 hours,” Hasan said.
Once clear of the Strait, the vessel is scheduled to continue its journey to Cape Town, South Africa.
MV Banglar Joyjatra had been stranded in the Persian Gulf since hostilities broke out on 28 February. The situation escalated when a missile reportedly struck an oil reservoir just 100 metres from the vessel while it was anchored near Jebel Ali port in Dubai, raising serious safety concerns.
The ship began its journey weeks earlier, entering Middle Eastern waters after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on 26 January. It subsequently transported cargo between regional ports, including 38,800 tonnes of steel coils from Qatar’s Mesaieed port to Dubai.
On 26 February, it arrived at Jebel Ali’s outer anchorage, but operations were disrupted shortly afterwards due to the escalating conflict.
After being stranded for several weeks, the vessel resumed operations and completed unloading on 11 March before loading its current fertiliser cargo in Saudi Arabia.

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