Banglar Joyjatra crosses Hormuz after 115-day ordeal

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, ending a 115-day ordeal in the Persian Gulf amid regional tensions.

The vessel, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, crossed the strategic waterway at 3:12am Bangladesh time after receiving clearance from Iranian authorities. “We crossed Hormuz at 3:12am Bangladesh time,” Chief Engineer Rashidul Hasan said via WhatsApp.

“The long wait is over. We are all happy. It feels like tasting freedom after a very long time,” he added.
Ship-tracking data showed the vessel was heading towards Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates at a speed of around seven knots after crossing the strait.

The ship entered the Persian Gulf on February 2 after sailing from India through the Strait of Hormuz. It later loaded steel coils at a port in Qatar and reached Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port on February 27.

However, escalating military tensions in the region turned the Strait of Hormuz into a high-risk maritime corridor, preventing MV Banglar Joyjatra and many other vessels from leaving the Gulf. Although the vessel remained safe throughout the period, repeated attempts to cross the strait failed due to security concerns.

BSC officials said the ship had been waiting near the shipping channel in recent days, within 80 nautical miles of the strait, for permission from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to proceed.

The clearance was granted on Monday, allowing the vessel to begin its passage through the strait.
Officials said the Ministry of Shipping and BSC closely monitored the vessel’s movement and maintained regular contact with the crew throughout the operation. BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the Strait of Hormuz has not fully reopened and vessels are being allowed to pass on a limited basis with Iranian approval.