A vessel owned by the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has been stranded off Sharjah after aborting an attempt to transit the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened security risks in the Persian Gulf.

The MV Banglar Joyjatra, with 31 Bangladeshi crew on board, is now anchored near the UAE port after turning back from the entrance to the strategic waterway. State-owned BSC has sought diplomatic support through the shipping ministry to ensure the vessel’s safe passage.

According to maritime traffic monitors, the ship is at an anchorage near Sharjah. BSC officials said it had begun its homeward voyage and tried to cross the strait but turned back after reports of missile strikes in the area.

The vessel first entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on February 2 carrying goods from India. It later loaded steel coils at a Qatari port before proceeding to Jebel Ali in the UAE.

Regional tensions escalated after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes targeting Iran. Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on multiple locations raised risks for commercial shipping, prompting BSC to drop plans for new cargo and order the vessel home.

The ship was about 66 nautical miles from the mouth of the strait on March 12 when it received news of missile strikes. The UAE coastguard then advised it to move to a safer location, and it returned to the Sharjah roadstead.

BSC managing director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the vessel had sufficient food, water and fuel. “The crew are safe and we remain in regular contact, providing instructions,” he added. The corporation is also in talks about carrying fresh cargo from Qatar if the situation allows.

Iran’s ambassador to Dhaka, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, said Tehran is ready to help the Bangladeshi vessel transit the strait despite the conflict.