Passenger ships will resume operations on the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s route on Thursday, November 5, after weeks of uncertainty and complications over administrative approvals.
On the first day, MV Baro Aulia will leave the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara in Cox’s Bazar town at 7:00am, carrying more than 700 tourists to Saint Martin’s Island.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), confirmed the development to Cox’s Bazar Life.
He said the initiative to resume ship services on Thursday had been taken following the district administration’s efforts. MV Baro Aulia would carry more than 700 passengers on its first voyage to the island, he added.
He also said three vessels had received approval to operate on the route and were ready for service. The number of ships to operate on the first day would be decided based on passenger demand.
The three approved vessels are MV Baro Aulia, MV Karnaphuli Express and MV Teknaf. They have received approval from the Department of Shipping and the Department of Environment and have a combined passenger capacity of 2,198.
Of the total capacity, MV Baro Aulia can carry 850 passengers, MV Karnaphuli Express 732, and MV Teknaf 616.
The tourism season on Saint Martin’s Island began on November 1 after a break of nearly 10 months. However, uncertainty over ship operations and administrative approvals had left tourists unsure about travelling to the island.
The resumption of services on Thursday has relieved tourism operators, who had been waiting for the vessels to return to the route.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
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