In late January 2026, the Banglar Joyjatra, a Bangladeshi bulk carrier, entered the Persian Gulf on what should have been a routine commercial voyage before continuing to South Africa. Instead, Captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and his crew became trapped for 115 days as conflict engulfed the Strait of Hormuz. He told RFI how the voyage turned into a fight to get his ship and crew safely out.
On Saturday 31 January, Iran announced live-fire naval exercises simulating a complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. From the bridge of the Banglar Joyjatra, Islam watched as ships piled up at anchor and maritime traffic ground to a halt.
