‘Banglar Joyjatra’ denied passage through Strait of Hormuz again

A Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel, 'Banglar Joyjatra', has been halted again while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, following instructions from Iranian forces.

The ship resumed its journey around 9:00pm on Friday after Iran announced the reopening of the strait for commercial navigation. It departed from near Sharjah port in the United Arab Emirates, heading toward Fujairah.

However, within hours of entering the strait at around 11:50pm, Iranian naval authorities instructed all vessels via radio to shut down engines, stating that passage required separate clearance from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the development was “unfortunate,” noting that the vessel had applied for permission but received no response. “We assumed the route was open after the announcement, and around 40 commercial vessels proceeded. Joyjatra followed them,” he said.

He added that the vessel could have crossed into the Gulf of Oman by around 3:00am, but was forced to halt due to the sudden directive.

The ship had earlier remained stranded for nearly 40 days with 31 crew members amid heightened regional tensions. Although it resumed its voyage from Ras Al Khair port in Saudi Arabia after a ceasefire was declared on April 8, it was denied passage through the Strait of Hormuz on April 10 and returned to Sharjah to await clearance.