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Tourist ship services to Saint Martin’s Island will not begin on November 1 as planned due to delays in obtaining necessary clearances and completing formalities, despite the government’s introduction of new conditions to protect the island’s fragile environment and ensure tourist safety.
Hossainul Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said services could begin on November 4 or 5 after all formalities are completed.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given in-principle approval for three tourist vessels to operate on the Cox’s Bazar–Saint Martin’s route from Nunia Chhara. However, the relevant authorities must complete the remaining procedures before issuing schedules and route permits.
The information was disclosed after a meeting on tourism management and safety at the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday afternoon.
The meeting was organised following recent fires at the Tup Tup Resort in Patuartek, Ukhiya, and the Sea Princess Hotel at Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar, which renewed concerns over safety at tourist destinations.
Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, said the authorities were working to ensure strict compliance with the government’s conditions for visiting Saint Martin’s Island.
He also said a website managed by the Tourism Board would open on November 1 for tourist registration to visit the island.
Three vessels have capacity for 2,298 passengers
According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and সংশ্লিষ্ট officials, applications for three vessels are currently being processed for the upcoming tourist season. They are MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Baro Awlia and MV Teknaf.
The vessels have passenger capacities of 732, 850 and 716 respectively, allowing them to carry a combined total of 2,298 passengers.
In a letter dated October 27, the BIWTA sought in-principle approval from the environment ministry for the three vessels. The ministry granted the approval in a letter dated October 29.
The vessels must comply with the Ecotourism Guidelines 2023 and other conditions set by the ministry. Following clearance from the Department of Environment, the BIWTA will issue operating schedules and route permits.
Under the government’s rules, a maximum of 3,500 tourists will be allowed to visit Saint Martin’s Island daily. If additional vessels are introduced and their combined passenger capacity exceeds the limit, a rotation system must be followed.
Further formalities remain
Bahadur said applications had been submitted to the Department of Shipping and other relevant authorities for the operation of vessels during the current season.
According to him, three vessels have received environmental clearance, while applications have been submitted for seven more. The approved vessels are ready to operate, but some administrative procedures remain incomplete.
He added that the weekly holidays could delay the completion of the remaining formalities by a few days.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury also acknowledged the delay in obtaining the necessary approvals. Online ticket sales for tourists will begin after all required permissions and formalities have been completed.
Stricter measures to protect the island
The government has made environmental clearance mandatory for tourist vessels operating to Saint Martin’s Island. Under the ministry’s directives, neither the BIWTA nor the Department of Shipping can authorise vessel operations without the required approval from the environment ministry.
The measures aim to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem and biodiversity while regulating tourist activities.
As a result, travellers hoping to visit the island at the start of the tourist season will have to wait a few more days for ship services to begin.
