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Ship services to St Martin’s Island resumed on Thursday after a 10-month suspension, with three vessels carrying more than 1,550 tourists to the island on the second day of the season on Friday.
The MV Karnaphuli and MV Teknaf joined the MV Baro Aulia on the Cox’s Bazar-St Martin’s route, departing from Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar around 7:00 am on Friday.
According to the available information, the three vessels carried a total of 1,554 tourists. The MV Baro Aulia had 619 passengers, the MV Karnaphuli 387 and the MV Teknaf 548.
However, another count provided by the authorities put the total number of passengers at 1,558.
On Thursday, the MV Baro Aulia began the season’s first voyage with 836 tourists and returned to Cox’s Bazar later that night.
Shafiul Alam Kajal, joint general secretary of the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TOAC), said one-way fares for St Martin’s-bound tourists had been fixed between Tk 1,800 and Tk 5,000. The highest-priced tickets include cabin facilities.
This season, all passenger vessels are required to operate from Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar. Ships are not permitted to depart from Teknaf or any other point.
Tourists must also complete online registration through the Bangladesh Tourism Board and obtain travel passes before visiting the island.
