Ships That Crossed the Strait of Hormuz Before Tensions Reach Chittagong Port

Fifteen cargo vessels that passed through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman before the recent escalation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel have begun arriving at Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh. These vessels had already cleared the key maritime route and set course for Bangladesh before any announcement about possible restrictions on the strait.

Among the ships either already docked or en route to Chittagong are four carrying Liquefied Natural Gas, two transporting Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and nine loaded with clinker, a major raw material used in the cement industry. Altogether, the 15 vessels are carrying roughly 750,000 tons of cargo. Port data shows that 12 of the ships have already reached Chittagong, while the remaining three are expected to arrive later this week.

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified after a joint military strike by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, followed by Tehran’s response. The situation has raised global concerns because nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG supply passes through this narrow shipping route.

Bangladesh relies on this corridor to trade with several Gulf countries, including Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Ships usually travel from the Persian Gulf, pass through the Strait of Hormuz, move into the Gulf of Oman, and then continue through the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal before reaching Bangladesh. Because of the conflict, even shipments coming from Oman through nearby waters are facing increased uncertainty.

According to port authorities, two LNG carriers—Al Zour and Al Jasasiya—have already arrived at Chittagong carrying 126,000 tons of LNG from Ras Laffan Port. Two more LNG vessels, Al Galayel and Lusail, are expected to reach the port’s outer anchorage on Wednesday and Monday respectively. Together, the four LNG ships are transporting approximately 247,000 tons of fuel. All of them crossed the Strait of Hormuz between two and seven days before the conflict began.

A local representative of the LNG carriers, Uni Global Business Limited, said the arrival of the four vessels in Chittagong is almost certain. However, another LNG ship named Liberal remains inside the Strait of Hormuz waiting to pass through after loading its cargo, leaving uncertainty about upcoming shipments.

In addition, an LPG carrier named Sevan carrying 22,172 tons of LPG from Sohar Port is expected to arrive in Chittagong on Sunday. Earlier, another LPG vessel called GYMM had already reached the port before the conflict started, transporting 19,316 tons of LPG. Both shipments belong to Meghna Fresh LPG, a subsidiary of Meghna Group of Industries.

Another ship, Bay Yasu, arrived last Thursday carrying 5,000 tons of monoethylene glycol (MEG) from Shuaiba Port.

Several other cargo vessels have also delivered cement industry materials such as clinker, gypsum, limestone, and stone. In total, these shipments amount to around 515,000 tons of raw materials, mostly sourced from Gulf countries.

Industry insiders say that during the 2024–25 fiscal year, Bangladesh imported goods worth nearly 6 billion US dollars from Gulf nations through the Strait of Hormuz, with energy products forming a large share of the total. However, if tensions around the strait continue, future shipments could face delays or disruptions.