Shipping minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Saturday that the government was using all possible diplomatic channels to bring back Banglar Joyjatra, a Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

His remarks came after a passing-out parade of trainee ratings of the 28th batch at the National Maritime Institute in Chattogram.

Replying to questions from journalists, the minister said that 35 sailors were on board the vessel all of whom were safe.

‘Work is going on to bring back the ship stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. There are 35 sailors on board. They are well. Their morale has been kept high. We are keeping in touch with their families. They will return soon,’ he said.

The minister said that the government continued efforts through diplomatic means and that such a situation involved a number of processes.

Asked about the process of handing over the New-Mooring Container Terminal to foreign operators, the adviser said that the matter remained where it had progressed earlier and was still under review.

He said that the government was analysing several aspects, including how national interest would be protected and port security would be ensured as well as how the country could acquire the technology needed for port management.

The shipping minister also said that the authorities were examining the possible benefits of such a move and whether giving the terminal to another company would affect local capacity.

‘Whatever is done, a decision will be taken keeping the confidence of the country and its people in mind,’ he said.

Mentioning that he had come to inspect major ongoing projects in the Chattogram region, Robiul Alam said that port management was functioning well, although there were still some challenges.

The minister would inspect different ongoing government projects over two days to ensure their proper implementation and full use of their potential.

Responding to a question on measures taken to address the fuel crisis, he said that fuel had already been supplied to filling stations and consumers according to demand and that there should be no shortage.

‘More fuel is being supplied now than what is usually needed throughout the year or at other times. Even then, we are seeing signs of an artificial shortage. You should also look into what is behind this,’ he told journalists.

He urged journalists to conduct investigative reports to identify where the irregularity lay.

Shipping ministry secretary Zakaria, Department of Shipping director general Md Shafiul Bari and National Maritime Institute principal Captain Ataur Rahman also spoke at the programme.