Cargo unloading from the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel MV Bangla Joyjatra at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE is progressing slowly amid heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, shipping officials said.
The vessel, carrying 38,800 tonnes of steel coils from Mesaieed Port in Qatar, resumed cargo discharge on a limited scale after port operations were disrupted late last month due to regional security alerts.
Officials of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) said cargo handling has not yet returned to normal pace and may take at least eight more days to complete.
BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek told TIMES that although unloading has resumed, operations remain intermittent due to the prevailing port conditions.
“Unloading is continuing slowly and may require at least eight more days to be completed,” he said, adding that the vessel remains secure as it is currently berthed at the port jetty.
Shipping officials noted that the delay in cargo discharge may temporarily reduce exposure to risk. Once unloading is completed, the vessel will have to move to outer anchorage in open waters before departing the port — a step that could carry greater security concerns if regional tensions intensify.
The situation reflects wider concerns across the Gulf, where geopolitical tensions have begun affecting maritime logistics and shipping schedules.
Meanwhile, a tanker carrying around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil for Bangladesh is waiting near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
The tanker Nordic Pollux has remained anchored in Emirati waters due to the security situation in the region. Shipping officials said the vessel is unlikely to begin its voyage to Bangladesh until conditions improve and safe passage through the strait is ensured.
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation usually transports crude oil imported by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation. After reaching Bangladesh, the crude oil is unloaded at outer anchorage before being transferred by lighter vessels to Eastern Refinery Limited for processing.
Maritime observers say prolonged instability around the Strait of Hormuz could affect shipping routes and energy supply chains connected to South Asia, including Bangladesh.
At least 100 Bangladeshi sailors are currently working on ships operating in the Middle East and nearby waters amid the ongoing tensions, according to the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association.
The group includes 31 crew members aboard the BSC vessel as well as sailors serving on ships owned by local and foreign companies.
Association President Captain Anam Chowdhury said the organisation is maintaining regular contact with the sailors and monitoring the situation closely to ensure their safety.
