The cargo vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors and stranded at the Jebel Ali Port amid the Middle East conflict, has completed unloading its cargo, reports bdnews24.com.
After unloading the goods, the vessel left the port to avoid risks posed by the ongoing war. However, for security reasons it is now anchored off the Sharjah Port.
The ship had earlier set sail from Jebel Ali towards the Strait of Hormuz for its next commercial destination. But members of the UAE Coast Guard advised it not to proceed along that route due to the security situation, prompting the vessel to turn back.
Officials of the state-owned Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) said the vessel is currently stationed about 80 nautical miles from Sharjah port waters.
The BSC officials and sailors on board said that the ship has sufficient supplies, including several months' worth of drinking water, dry and other food items, as well as adequate fuel. Although there is no shortage of essential supplies, the sailors have become somewhat anxious amid the wartime situation.
On Jan 26, the vessel arrived at the outer anchorage of Jebel Ali port carrying 38,800 tonnes of steel coils from Mesaieed Port. It berthed at Terminal 10 the following day.
However, unloading was delayed after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. A day after docking, a missile struck an oil reservoir about 200 metres from the vessel, triggering a fire.
The incident created uncertainty among the 31 Bangladeshi sailors on board regarding their safety. Cargo unloading began a few days later. Although the vessel was initially scheduled to return to Qatar after completing the unloading, the plan was cancelled due to the war.
Captain Md Shafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com: "The cargo was fully unloaded at Jebel Ali port on Wednesday."
"After that we sailed towards the Strait of Hormuz for the next destination. The vessel's next port was Mumbai Port."
To reach Mumbai, the ship has to cross the Strait of Hormuz. But shipping through the strategically important strait has virtually halted amid the (Middle East) conflict. As a result, the vessel was stationed about 63 nautical miles before the strait around 12:30am on Thursday.
At that time, Coast Guard of United Arab Emirates members instructed the ship to move away and leave the high-risk area.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek told bdnews24.com that missile attacks had occurred in the Strait of Hormuz area on Wednesday.
"As a result, the MV Joyjatra changed course and took up position outside the waters of Sharjah port," he said.
"For security reasons, the vessel is staying there. The safety of the sailors is our top priority."
He said Banglar Joyjatra would leave the risky maritime area once navigation through the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal and clearance is obtained from the UAE Coast Guard.
Malek added that all sailors aboard the vessel are physically well and maintaining their morale.
"There is sufficient food, drinking water and fuel on board. There will be no shortage of these for the next few months. We are regularly advising the sailors on safety measures," he said.
'WE'RE STILL ALIVE'
Captain Shafiqul Islam of MV Joyjatra said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has almost come to a halt since the conflict began, with several vessels reportedly targeted by missile or drone attacks.
"I heard that a Chinese ship crossed the strait last Tuesday. There has been no ship movement over the past two days," he said.
"Our next destination is Mumbai, which was set by the chartering company. But under the current circumstances it is not possible to reach there by crossing the Strait of Hormuz."
"Therefore, we have anchored near Sharjah port."
Shafiqul Islam, who has spent 33 years of his life at sea, said they have been witnessing missile or drone strikes from the vessel almost every day.
"Despite the shelling, we are doing well. Many of us are worried, but the ship has yet to be attacked. At least we're alive as of now, you can say."
Family members of the sailors are worried because the ship has been stranded due to the war in the Middle East. Despite limited network connectivity, the sailors are maintaining regular contact with their families, helping them face the difficult situation with courage, he said.
He added that BSC has been providing necessary instructions to ensure the safety of the vessel and its crew.
Meanwhile, BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek wrote to the foreign secretary on Thursday seeking diplomatic steps to ensure the safe passage of the vessel through the Strait of Hormuz.
