The crew members of Banglar Joyjatra (inset) CHATTOGRAM, June 23: Bangladeshi flag carrier ship 'MV Banglar Joyjatra' finally crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the early hours of Monday after ending 115 days of uncertainty, anxiety and prolonged wait.
The ship passed through one of the world's most strategically important and sensitive waterways at 3:12 am, bringing to an end the long ordeal of 31 Bangladeshi sailors stranded in the Persian Gulf.
According to data from ship-tracking service Marine Traffic on Tuesday morning, the vessel was heading towards the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a speed of around seven knots to complete safe bunkering operations and other necessary clearance procedures.
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) said senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping and the corporation continuously monitored the vessel's position and movements while it was navigating the high-risk waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Necessary instructions and coordination were provided to ensure its safe passage.
Managing Director of BSC Mahmudul Malek said, "Although the Strait of Hormuz is not yet fully reopened, ships are moving on a limited scale with the approval of the authorities concerned. It is due to coordinated efforts at various levels that the Bangla Joyjatra has been able to safely cross the strait."
It may be mentioned that BSC-owned 'MV Banglar Joyjatra', chartered by a Singapore-based firm, docked at Dubai's Jebel Ali Port on Feb 27 -- the day before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Its 31 Bangladeshi crew members were stuck in the Gulf ever since. However, all of the crew members are safe.
The ship was loaded with 39,000 tonnes of steel coils from Mesaieed Port in Qatar and brought them to Jebel Ali Port in the UAE. Although the ship's cargo unloading process was severely threatened due to the outbreak of war, the steel coil cargo was successfully unloaded at Jebel Ali Port on March 11 amidst the risks of war.
The ship is expected to reach Chittagong port soon.
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