A vessel of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), named MV Banglar Joyjatra, has been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The ship, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, was only 66 nautical miles from the strait’s entrance on March 12 when reports of missile attacks emerged. Following security instructions from the UAE Coast Guard, the vessel retreated to a safer position in the Persian Gulf and is now anchored in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The ship had earlier crossed the Hormuz Strait from India on February 2 and reached the UAE after loading steel coils from Qatar on February 27. The conflict began the next day when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, spreading instability across the region. BSC had planned to load new cargo in Kuwait after unloading at Jebel Ali Port on March 11 but decided to return the ship safely due to the war situation.

BSC has requested the Ministry of Shipping to seek diplomatic assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through the Hormuz Strait.