The Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier had been scheduled to return to the country due to the unstable situation in the Middle East. According to the plan, the vessel attempted to enter the Strait of Hormuz on March 12. However, while it was still 66 nautical miles away from the strait, reports emerged of missile attacks in the area. Considering the safety of the crew, the sailors decided to withdraw from their position.
Given the ongoing conflict in the region, BSC authorities have now decided not to bring the ship back to Bangladesh immediately and instead keep it engaged in cargo transportation.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said on Sunday afternoon that the vessel is currently anchored outside Sharjah Port. From there, it will sail to Qatar. According to the previous schedule, the ship will load cargo from a Qatari port and then depart for Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates.
He said that transporting cargo is not the main priority at the moment; ensuring safety is. “Air defense protection is better near jetties. For this reason, cargo will be loaded from a port in Qatar, after which the vessel will sail to Jebel Ali Port,” he said.
Sources said the vessel had completed unloading cargo at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE on March 11. It was then scheduled to load cargo from Qatar. However, due to security concerns, the route was later changed and an attempt was made to bring the vessel back to Bangladesh.
Earlier, on March 2, 2022, a BSC vessel named Banglar Samriddhi was damaged in a missile attack at Olvia Port in Ukraine. A Bangladeshi sailor on board the ship was killed in the incident.
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