After 115 days of uncertainty in the Persian Gulf, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation's (BSC) vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz with 31 Bangladeshi sailors early today.

"We crossed Hormuz at 3:12am Bangladesh time," Chief Engineer Rashidul Hasan told reporters via WhatsApp.

"The long wait is over. We are all happy. It feels like tasting freedom after a very long time."

The vessel crossed the strategic waterway after receiving clearance from Iranian authorities, ending nearly four months of disruption caused by regional tensions.

Ship-tracking data showed this morning, the vessel heading towards Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates at a speed of seven knots.

The vessel entered the Persian Gulf on February 2 after crossing the Strait of Hormuz from India. It later loaded steel coils at a port in Qatar and reached Dubai's Jebel Ali Port on February 27.

Subsequent military tensions in the region turned the Strait of Hormuz into a high-risk maritime corridor, preventing many vessels, including MV Banglar Joyjatra, from transiting the waterway.

Although the vessel remained safe throughout the period, repeated attempts to leave the Gulf were unsuccessful due to security concerns.

According to BSC officials, the vessel had been waiting near the shipping channel in recent days, within 80 nautical miles of the strait, for permission from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to proceed.

That approval was granted yesterday, enabling the vessel to begin its passage through the strait.

Officials said the Ministry of Shipping and BSC closely monitored the vessel's movement and remained in regular contact with the crew throughout the operation.

BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the Strait of Hormuz remains only partially open and vessels are being allowed to pass on a limited basis subject to Iranian approval.