The bulk carrier crossed the crucial maritime chokepoint at around 3:00 AM Bangladesh Time on Tuesday, bringing an end to a prolonged period of uncertainty for its operators and crew.
BSC Managing Director, Commodore Mahmudul Malek, confirmed the development, stating that the vessel is currently heading towards the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for bunkering (refueling).
According to BSC records, MV Banglar Joyyatra entered the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on February 2. After loading a cargo of steel coils at a Qatari port, it arrived at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE on February 27.
The situation escalated rapidly the following day when military hostilities flared up involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, leading Tehran to impose severe restrictions on vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Although scheduled to travel to Kuwait after discharging its cargo on March 11, BSC redirected the vessel to safer waters to mitigate security risks.
It later loaded 37,000 tons of fertilizer at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port on March 3, bound for Cape Town, South Africa. However, due to the closure of the Strait, the ship remained stranded at the Saudi port.
Following a temporary ceasefire declaration between the US and Iran, the vessel departed Ras Al Khair on April 8. But its journey was halted again on April 10 when Iranian authorities blocked its passage, forcing it to anchor at Mina Saqr port.
The vessel was finally allowed to proceed on Tuesday night following a formal diplomatic understanding between Iran and the US, combined with extensive, high-level diplomatic efforts by the Bangladesh government.
Built in 2018 with a carrying capacity of 38,894 tons, the vessel is manned by 31 crew members—all Bangladeshi nationals. The BSC management confirmed that all personnel onboard are safe, healthy, and in high spirits.
“MV Banglar Joyyatra has successfully overcome an extreme crisis through immense courage, superb nautical strategy, and constant guidance from the highest levels of the government. Enduring a long-standing siege in this sensitive war zone of the Persian Gulf, the situation was handled with ultimate bravery. This stands as a historic milestone for Bangladesh in the global maritime sector.”
— Commodore Mahmudul Malek, Managing Director, BSC
Throughout the four-month standoff, BSC ensured an uninterrupted supply of fresh water, food, provisions, and fuel oil.
To maintain the mental and physical well-being of the crew, the corporation provided additional benefits, including a special daily meal allowance of $5 USD, special Eid incentives, and ‘war wages’ for serving in a high-risk conflict zone.
The successful passage of MV Banglar Joyyatra highlights not only the resilience of Bangladeshi seafarers but also the effectiveness of Bangladesh’s diplomatic maneuvers in international conflict zones.
As the vessel safely maneuvers toward refueling, the maritime community celebrates the safe resolution of a high-stakes standoff.