Three Tourist Ships to Resume Saint Martin’s Route

Three tourist vessels are set to resume operations on the Cox’s Bazar–Saint Martin’s Island route from Thursday, November 5, following the resolution of administrative complications.

The vessels are MV Bar Aulia, MV Karnaphuli Express and MV Teknaf.

They have received temporary voyage licences from the Department of Shipping, along with the required environmental and administrative clearances.

However, delays in obtaining final approval from the Cox’s Bazar district administration meant that only MV Bar Aulia would operate on Thursday.

The vessel is scheduled to depart from the Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty at 7am, carrying more than 700 tourists who had already purchased tickets.

The other two vessels are expected to begin operations on Friday.

Permission for the first vessel to sail came after Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abul Mannan gave his consent at around 11pm on Wednesday.

The three vessels have a combined passenger capacity of 2,298. MV Bar Aulia can carry 850 passengers, MV Karnaphuli Express 732 and MV Teknaf 716.

Under the government's decision, tourists will be allowed to visit Saint Martin’s Island and stay overnight until March 15.

The resumption of ship services follows days of uncertainty over administrative approvals, leaving tourists and vessel operators concerned about the start of the tourism season.