Bangladesh Ship Trapped Near Strait of Hormuz Due to Missile Threat

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s (BSC) vessel, MV Banglar Joyjatra, was unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz and had to return to its previous position in the Persian Gulf due to concerns over missile attacks.

On March 12, the ship was attempting to return to Bangladesh after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on its way from India and carrying goods from Qatar. However, due to missile threats in the area, it was instructed to return to a safe zone near Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

The BSC took steps through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic efforts for the ship's safe passage through the Strait, which is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Commodore Mahmudul Malek, the managing director of BSC, confirmed that 31 Bangladeshi sailors were onboard the vessel at the time.

MV Banglar Joyjatra had entered the Persian Gulf on February 2, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. It subsequently picked up steel coils from a Qatari port and docked in the Jebel Ali Port in the UAE on February 27, 2026. Just a day after its arrival, the U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes in Iran, escalating tensions in the region.

After unloading its cargo on March 11, the ship was scheduled to load new goods at a Kuwaiti port. However, due to the escalating conflict in the region, BSC decided to safely return the ship rather than risk its passage through the hazardous area.

On March 12, the ship was approximately 66 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz when the crew learned about missile strikes in the region. The UAE Coast Guard advised the ship to avoid crossing the Strait and to instead move to a safer location. The ship subsequently returned to its anchorage off the coast of Sharjah.

The authorities have also raised concerns over past incidents, like the Russian missile attack on a Bangladesh-owned vessel in Ukraine last year, which resulted in the death of an engineer, Hadisur Rahman, and the subsequent rescue of 28 Bangladeshi sailors.