Play store
A tourist vessel carrying around 700 passengers is finally set to depart for St Martin’s Island from Cox’s Bazar on Thursday, marking the start of ship operations for the current tourist season.
The vessel, MV Bar Aulia, will leave Cox’s Bazar on Thursday morning, said Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB).
He confirmed the decision after a meeting with the Cox’s Bazar district administration on Wednesday night.
“Only one ship will operate, as it will carry around 700 passengers,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner A Mannan also confirmed that the administration had approved the vessel’s operation.
The decision came after uncertainty over the launch of tourist vessels, with conflicting statements from the district administration and ship operators earlier on Wednesday.
Three vessels — MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Bar Aulia and MV Teknaf — have received temporary voyage licences from the Department of Shipping to operate on the Cox’s Bazar–St Martin’s route.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) also approved their route permits and schedules on November 4.
The three vessels have a combined passenger capacity of 2,298.
The current tourist season on St Martin’s Island began on November 1 and will continue until March 15. A maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit the island daily.
Tourists must obtain QR code-based digital travel passes, while overnight stays on the island will be permitted only in December and January.