Bangladeshi cargo ship blocked in Hormuz
A state-owned Bangladeshi vessel has been denied permission to transit the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, forcing it to turn back despite a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, officials said on Friday, highlighting ongoing risks to regional energy and shipping routes.
The vessel, Banglar Joyjatra, operated by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), had remained in the conflict-affected region for nearly 40 days before making a renewed attempt to exit.
According to BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek, the ship departed Ras Al Khair port in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday carrying around 37,000 tonnes of phosphate fertiliser destined for Cape Town, South Africa.
After approximately 40 hours at sea, it approached the Strait of Hormuz on Friday morning but was denied transit clearance by Iranian authorities.
“The vessel sought permission in line with Iranian directives, but the application was rejected.
Diplomatic efforts to secure clearance are ongoing,” Malek said. He added that the ship has been instructed to return to a safe port and is now heading back towards Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel is currently positioned near the strait, with further steps dependent on developments in the region.
There are 31 crew members on board, all reported to be safe.
The vessel has adequate food supplies, and its onboard desalination system can produce up to 18 tonnes of fresh water per day. As a precaution, water consumption has been reduced to around six tonnes daily.
Crew welfare measures have also been enhanced, including an increase in the daily food allowance from $7 to $12 and the introduction of a war allowance equivalent to basic salary.
According to BSC data, the vessel entered the Persian Gulf on 2 February after transiting the Strait of Hormuz while carrying cargo from India.
It later transported steel coils from Qatar and reached Jebel Ali in the UAE on 27 February.
Tensions escalated sharply a day later following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered retaliatory action and heightened regional instability.
After unloading cargo at Jebel Ali on 11 March, the vessel was due to load goods from Kuwait, but BSC opted to withdraw it from the high-risk zone.
Repeated attempts to exit via the Strait of Hormuz were unsuccessful due to security concerns, forcing the vessel to return to safer waters, including Sharjah.
Although a 15-day ceasefire had raised expectations of resumed transit, the latest refusal underscores continuing uncertainty for maritime traffic through the vital energy corridor.
On 1 April, Iran’s embassy in Dhaka had indicated that transit clearance for Bangladeshi vessels would be facilitated.
However, Iran’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, urged Dhaka to adopt a clearer stance on what he described as “US-Israeli aggression” in the Middle East, warning of broader implications if such actions go unchallenged.
