Banglar Joyjatra Navigates Strait of Hormuz
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Crew of the Banglar Joyjatra successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz after 115 days, completing a high-stakes mission that tested the nerves of its 31 sailors.
Pronoy Sen, a navigation officer and 15-year veteran from Marine Academy, took command of the transit from the Persian Gulf.
Despite initial uncertainty regarding the extreme risks, Pronoy and his crew finalized a strategic plan, identified potential threats, and weighed anchor on Monday at 8 am.
The vessel faced obstacles while near the Hamriya Port in the United Arab Emirates. The Strait of Hormuz was officially closed, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had yet to grant permission for transit.
Moreover, US warships were patrolling the area, GPS signals were jammed, sea mines were reportedly planted along the route, and patrol drones monitored the skies from above.
Owned by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) and chartered by the Singaporean firm Daba Private Limited, the ship was transporting 37,000 tons of fertilizer destined for South Africa.
Under orders from BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek, the Banglar Joyjatra was instructed to follow the Nordic Pollux, a vessel carrying fuel for the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) that had been stuck in the region for an extended period.
The transit required the ship to hug the Iranian coast. During the voyage, the crew heard a warning over the radio in clear English, “Any military vessel crossing Hormuz will be destroyed.”
Due to the GPS jamming and the threat of underwater mines, Pronoy had to navigate the ship entirely manually, without any technological assistance, while maintaining crew morale under the constant threat of missile strikes.
A slight easing of restrictions occurred because Iran-US peace talks were simultaneously underway in Switzerland, providing a narrow window for the vessel to pass safely.
After 15 hours of intense navigation, the ship cleared the main strait at 3:12 am. Pronoy confirmed the success to his colleagues via WhatsApp, messaging, “Banglar Joyjatra Hormuz crossed successfully.”
The successful transit was monitored closely by Shipping Minister Rabiul Alam and Commodore Malek. BSC initially kept the movement secret for security reasons, only confirming the safe passage in a midnight press release.
Banglar Joyjatra is anchored at Fujairah Port in the UAE to collect fuel and undergo cleaning. The vessel is scheduled to depart for Durban, South Africa, on 25 June, a voyage expected to take 17 days.
Following the delivery of the fertilizer, the sailors are expected to return to Bangladesh by flight within the next 20 days.
