Bangladeshi ship sets sail to cross Hormuz after ceasefire

A Bangladesh-flagged vessel, stranded in the Persian Gulf since the outbreak of the Iran war, has resumed its journey towards the Strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire, officials said on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC)-owned MV Banglar Joyjatra, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, lifted anchor early in the morning after remaining stuck in the Gulf for weeks.

According to ship-tracking data, the vessel departed Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port after loading nearly 37,000 tonnes of fertiliser and was later seen at the outer anchorage of Dammam port. The ship was moving at a speed of 8.3 knots, with a draft of 10.8 metres.

Chief Engineer Rashedul Hasan said that the vessel is now heading towards the Strait of Hormuz and is around 425 nautical miles away from the strategic waterway. He added that it may take another 40 hours, or nearly two days, to complete the crossing.

After crossing Hormuz, the ship is expected to sail to Cape Town, South Africa, with its cargo.

BSC officials said the vessel had earlier been forced to turn back from its route due to security concerns amid the Middle East conflict. Following the ceasefire, the ship has now restarted its long-awaited voyage.