MV Banglar Joyjatra Denied Passage Through Strait of Hormuz, Returns to Safe Anchorage
The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra has once again been unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz after failing to obtain clearance from Iranian authorities. The ship was forced to return to a designated safe anchorage in the Persian Gulf.
According to officials, the vessel resumed its voyage late Friday following reports that the strait had reopened for commercial shipping. It entered the Hormuz passage around 11:50 pm (Bangladesh time), but was later instructed to turn back after transit permission was denied.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek confirmed that the ship reached the strait but could not proceed due to the absence of authorization from Iranian authorities.
The vessel has been stranded in the region for approximately 48 days amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and restrictions affecting maritime movement in the area.
It was originally transporting 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Ras Al Khair Port to Cape Town, but its journey faced repeated disruptions due to conditions in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
After an earlier delay, the ship remained anchored at Ras Al Khair for an extended period. Following a reported ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran, it departed on April 8 in an attempt to continue its voyage.
However, on April 10, the vessel was again denied passage near the strait and was moved to a nearby anchorage for safety reasons.
BSC records indicate that the vessel entered the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on February 2. It had previously transported steel coils from Qatar to Jebel Ali Port, arriving on February 27.
Rising regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel subsequently led to increased restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait, disrupting several commercial shipping routes. The vessel was later redirected multiple times due to security concerns before its current stalled voyage to Cape Town.
