Stranded Bangladeshi vessel begins journey toward Strait of Hormuz following US-Iran ceasefire

A Bangladesh-flagged vessel,
which had been stranded for 28 days in the Persian Gulf following the US-Israel
war with Iran, has lifted anchor after a ceasefire and resumed its journey
toward the Strait of Hormuz.
MV Banglar Joyjatra set sail
from Saudi Arabia at 8am Bangladesh time today (8 April), after US President
Donald Trump announced a ceasefire.
The vessel, owned by Bangladesh
Shipping Corporation, had been stranded with 31 Bangladeshi sailors since 11
March, after unloading cargo at Jebel Ali Port.
Commodore Mahmudul Malek,
managing director of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, told The Business
Standard that the ship departed from Saudi Arabia's Rass Al Khair Port carrying
around 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser.
"It takes about 40 hours
to reach the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz from there. Our instruction is for
the vessel to remain in a safe position before crossing. After monitoring the
situation and communicating with Iranian authorities, the ship will cross the
strait upon receiving instructions from Bangladesh," he said.
According to ship-tracking
platform MarineTraffic, as of 2pm the vessel was sailing in the Persian Gulf
after departing Ras Al Khair Port, moving at a speed of 9.50 knots with a draft
of 10.80 metres.
BSC data shows the vessel
entered the Persian Gulf on 2 February after crossing the Strait of Hormuz
while carrying cargo from India. It later loaded steel coils from a port in
Qatar and reached Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates on 27 February.
The following day, the United
States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks by
Tehran across the Middle East and rapidly escalating the conflict.
After unloading cargo on 11
March, the vessel was scheduled to load new cargo from a port in Kuwait.
However, due to the ongoing conflict, BSC decided to bring the ship back to
safety from the high-risk area. Although it initially began its return journey
toward the Strait of Hormuz, it had to turn back due to security concerns.
Following the ceasefire, the
vessel has now resumed its journey, with authorities closely monitoring the
situation before allowing it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
No decision yet on crude oil tanker Nordic Pollux
A tanker, Nordic Pollux, carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil
worth around Tk600 crore for Bangladesh has been stranded at Saudi Arabia's Ras
Tanura port since 3 March.
Commodore Mahmudul Malek told TBS, "We have not yet received
clearance for any vessel to pass. However, it will take 38–40 hours to reach
the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. That is why Banglar Joyjatra has already
set sail. We are trying to obtain clearance within this time."
He added that no decision has yet been made regarding Nordic
Pollux. "It is a US company's vessel. It will begin its journey once
clearance is granted."
















