4 Bangladeshi sailors return home from missile-hit ship; over 100 remain stranded near Strait of Hormuz

Four Bangladeshi sailors who were aboard a vessel hit by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel returned home last night (4 March).

However, more than a hundred Bangladeshi seafarers remain stranded on at least six vessels inside and around the strategic maritime corridor, according to officials from the Department of Shipping and the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA).

According to the Directorate General of Shipping, four Bangladesh-flagged vessels are currently stuck in and around the Strait of Hormuz due to heightened security risks.

Among them, the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s vessel Banglar Joyjatra, carrying 31 crew members, is stationed at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE.

Two vessels operated by SR Shipping are also affected: Nazia Jahan, with 22 sailors on board, is currently in the Red Sea, while Jahan-1, also carrying 22 sailors, is waiting at an Oman port.

Another vessel, Bashundhara LPG Challenger, with about 25 crew members, remains near the Strait of Hormuz.

Director General of Shipping Commodore Shafiul Bari told TBS that necessary instructions have been issued to ensure the safety of the vessels and their crews.

“We have advised the ships to remain in safe positions and instructed owners to ensure adequate stocks of food and drinking water on board,” he said.

Confirming that two of its vessels are positioned around Oman and outside the Strait of Hormuz, SR Shipping’s Chief Executive Officer Meherul Karim said both ships remain safe.

“One vessel is waiting to unload cargo, while the other was preparing to enter the Strait of Hormuz to load cargo,” he said. “Due to the war situation and security concerns, the vessel is currently waiting outside.”

He added that both ships have sufficient food and water supplies for the crew.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association said at least 15 more Bangladeshi sailors working on three foreign-flagged ships are also stranded in the region.

The four sailors who returned home were crew members of the vessel MKD Vyom, which came under missile attack on the second day of the conflict near Oman waters.

They arrived in Dhaka last night on a flight from Oman. The sailors include Habibur Rahman, Monirul Alam Joy and Rifat, according to the association.

Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of BMMOA, said the missile strike caused a fire on the ship shortly after the war began.

“While crew members from other countries abandoned the vessel, the four Bangladeshi sailors bravely fought the fire and managed to bring it under control,” he told TBS.

Later, Omani authorities rescued them from the vessel.

He said the association remains in constant contact with the stranded sailors and ship owners, adding that all Bangladeshi seafarers in the region are currently safe.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, has been severely affected by the escalating conflict.

According to the International Maritime Organization, nearly 20,000 sailors are currently stranded in the area.

Arsenio Dominguez, head of the UN maritime body, told the BBC that Iran’s threats in the region have left a large number of seafarers unable to move through the waterway, effectively paralysing commercial shipping.

He added that around 15,000 passengers aboard various cruise vessels in the region are also facing serious disruption.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global trade. Under normal circumstances, about 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow passage each day.