Missile scare: Bangladeshi ship fails to pass through Hormuz despite approaching

❐ Staff Reporter

After the start of the war between the United States and Israel with Iran, the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) ship MV Bangla Joyyatra was stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Thursday, March 12, the ship attempted to return to Bangladesh through the Strait of Hormuz. However, due to fears of a missile attack, the ship returned to its previous position in the Persian Gulf instead of crossing the strait.

Following this incident, the BSC has written to the Ministry of Shipping to initiate diplomatic efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the ship can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The letter was given by the company’s managing director, Commodore Mahmudul Malek. There are currently 31 Bangladeshi sailors on the ship.

According to the website of the shipping monitoring organization Marine Traffic, the ship, owned by BSC, is now anchored in the outer anchorage area off the coast of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The ship is currently anchored in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Since it is still within the Strait of Hormuz, a new cargo load is planned from Qatar.

Commodore Mahmudul Malek, Managing Director, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation

According to BSC sources, the ‘Banglar Jayyatra’ entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on February 2, carrying goods from India. Later, the ship arrived at Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates on February 27 after loading steel coils from a port in Qatar.

The next day, the United States and Israel attacked Iran. In response, Iran launched attacks across the Middle East, quickly spreading the conflict.

BSC officials said that the unloading of goods from the ship was completed at Jebel Ali Port on March 11. After that, a new load of goods was scheduled at a port in Kuwait.

However, due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East, the BSC decided to leave the risky area and bring the ship back safely. Accordingly, the ship began its journey towards the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the sailors, on March 12, the ship reached about 66 nautical miles from the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. At that time, the ship’s sailors received reports of a missile attack in the strait area.

Later, the United Arab Emirates Coast Guard also ordered the ship to move to a safe place instead of crossing the strait for safety reasons. The ship then returned.

When asked, Commodore Mahmudul Malek, Managing Director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, said that the ship is currently anchored in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Since it is still within the Strait of Hormuz, a new cargo loading from Qatar is planned.

Earlier, on March 2, 2022, after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Bangladeshi ship Banglar Samriddhi was attacked by a Russian missile at the port of Olbia, Ukraine. The ship’s engineer Hadisur Rahman was killed in the attack. Later, 28 Bangladeshi sailors trapped on the ship were rescued.