Bangladeshi Ship Resumes Hormuz Voyage After Truce

A Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel resumed its journey towards the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday morning, hours after a ceasefire was announced in the conflict involving Iran.

The MV Banglar Joyjatra, carrying 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser and a crew of 31, had remained stranded in the Persian Gulf since March after the outbreak of hostilities disrupted regional maritime movement.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the vessel departed from a Saudi port and is expected to take around 40 hours, or nearly two days, to reach the Strait of Hormuz.

He said officials are in contact with the Iranian authorities to ensure the ship’s safe passage through the strategically sensitive waterway.

After crossing the strait, the vessel is scheduled to continue its journey to South Africa’s Port of Cape Town.

The ship’s Chief Engineer, Rashedul Hasan, said the vessel had become stranded after loading fertiliser from Ras Al-Khair port in Saudi Arabia.

He added that the ship was at Dammam Port early Wednesday when news of the ceasefire emerged, allowing preparations for the onward voyage to begin.

Officials said the vessel had entered the Persian Gulf on 2 February carrying cargo from India. It later loaded steel coils from a port in Qatar before arriving at Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates on 27 February, just before the conflict escalated.

After unloading at Jebel Ali on 11 March, the ship remained stranded there before later sailing to Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia.

T.he vessel’s movement is being closely monitored as authorities seek to ensure safe navigation through one of the world’s most sensitive shipping routes.