A group of 15 Bangladeshi mariners, part of a 25-member crew, are stranded on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz amidst escalating Middle East tensions.
Despite completing their service contracts, the sailors are unable to return home due to visa complications in Dubai, which serves as a primary hub for maritime crew sign-on and sign-off.
Mohammad Zahid Hossain, a Bangladeshi mariner on board, described the harrowing conditions in a video message.
He said, “The crew consists of 15 Bangladeshis, eight Filipinos, and two Indians. Although Indian and Filipino crew members on the same vessel can sign-on and sign-off without any complications, Bangladeshis are facing significant hurdles.”
Zahid added, “Our family members are spending their days in extreme anxiety. We request the government to work quickly to resolve this visa complication so that we can return home safely.”
Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association and the Seafarers’ Union are reportedly monitoring the situation, but the stranded crew has called for high-level diplomatic intervention to ensure their safety and repatriation.
