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Passenger ferry services between Teknaf and St Martin’s Island have remained suspended for six consecutive days due to rough seas and adverse weather, disrupting daily life on the island and raising concerns over possible shortages of essential supplies.
The suspension, which began on July 2, continued through Tuesday morning as authorities kept passenger vessels off the route following weather warnings and deteriorating sea conditions.
Abdur Rashid, president of the St Martin Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said 26 passenger trawlers operate on the route, with two to three vessels usually running each day on a rotational basis. However, all services have remained suspended to ensure passenger safety while warning signals remain in force.
St Martin’s, Bangladesh’s only coral island, depends almost entirely on Teknaf for the supply of food, fuel, medicines and other daily essentials. A prolonged disruption of the maritime link could lead to shortages of essential commodities and affect basic services on the island.
Acting Chairman of the St Martin Union Parishad Foyezul Islam said residents have been facing mounting difficulties since passenger services were halted last Thursday.
“Every year during June and July, rough weather disrupts communication with the island. If the suspension continues for several more days, shortages of food and other essentials may arise,” he said.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury confirmed that passenger trawler operations on the Teknaf-St Martin route remain suspended due to unfavourable weather and will resume only after sea conditions improve and authorities declare the route safe for navigation.
