Missile scare in Hormuz forces Bangladeshi ship to turn back
A Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors was forced to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of missile attacks as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
The MV Banglar Joyjatra, owned by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), had set off for Bangladesh but returned to a safer position in the Persian Gulf after security alerts warned of possible strikes in the strategic waterway.
According to shipping data from MarineTraffic, the vessel is currently anchored in the outer anchorage area off Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
War disrupts voyage
BSC sources said the vessel entered the Persian Gulf on February 2 after crossing the Strait of Hormuz with cargo from India. It later loaded steel coils from a port in Qatar before arriving at Jebel Ali Port on February 27.
Just a day later, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region and creating a volatile security situation for shipping in the Gulf.
After completing cargo unloading at Jebel Ali on March 11, the ship was scheduled to sail to Kuwait to load new cargo. However, amid escalating hostilities, BSC decided to pull the vessel out of the high-risk zone and return it safely to Bangladesh.
Missile alert forces retreat
The ship began its journey home through the Strait of Hormuz but encountered trouble on March 12 when it reached about 66 nautical miles from the entrance to the strait.
At that point, the crew received warnings about missile attacks in the surrounding waters. Shortly afterwards, the UAE Coast Guard advised the vessel to move to a safer location instead of attempting to cross the strait.
Following the alert, the ship immediately turned back and took shelter near Sharjah.
Diplomatic efforts underway
Earlier, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation had requested the Ministry of Shipping to initiate diplomatic efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure safe passage for the vessel through the Strait of Hormuz.
BSC Managing Director Mahmudul Malek said the ship remains anchored near Sharjah and is still within the broader Hormuz region.
He added that authorities are considering loading new cargo from Qatar on the vessel’s next voyage once the security situation stabilises.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, has become increasingly dangerous since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, raising concerns for commercial vessels navigating the route.