Https, July 11 -- Shipping seems to have suffered less than other means of transport have dealing with the coronavirus pandemic's brutal wake, but longer stays on board are leaving the Bangladeshi sailors in a quagmire as most ports are not allowing them to disembark.

Many of them have to return by sea as they are unable to catch planes even after their contract or visa has ended.

About 5,000 Bangladeshi officers, sailors, and crew members are working on ships of local or foreign companies and contracts of more than 2,000 of them have ended. But the outbreak has stalled their return or other plans.

Marine engineer Marufur Rahman has returned home recently after he ran down his nine-month contract with Jamuna Group.

The officer of Ocea...