Three Ships to Operate Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s Route from November 5

Tourist vessels will resume operations on the Nuniachhara-Saint Martin’s route in Cox’s Bazar from Thursday (November 5) after a long suspension.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has approved the schedules and route permits for three vessels to operate on the route. The approved ships are MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Bar Aulia and MV Teknaf.

The separate approval orders were issued by BIWTA’s Navigation Safety and Traffic Department on Wednesday (November 4). The approvals will remain effective from November 5 until March 15, 2027.

According to the BIWTA order, MV Karnaphuli Express, operated by Karnaphuli Ship Builders, will depart from Nuniachara in Cox’s Bazar at 7:15 am and reach Saint Martin’s Island at 12:45 pm. On its return journey, it will leave the island at 2:15 pm and arrive in Cox’s Bazar at 7:45 pm.

Another vessel operated by the same company, MV Bar Aulia, will leave Nuniachhara at 1:00 pm and reach Saint Martin’s Island at 3:30 pm. It will depart from the island at 4:30 pm and arrive in Cox’s Bazar at 7:00 pm.

Meanwhile, MV Teknaf, operated by Parapar Tours and Travels, will depart from Cox’s Bazar at 10:45 am and reach Saint Martin’s Island at 3:30 pm. Its return schedule has also been specified in the relevant order.

The BIWTA order states that the combined passenger capacity of the three vessels is currently below 3,500. Therefore, each vessel may carry passengers according to the capacity specified in its survey certificate.

However, if other operators apply for permission to operate vessels in the future and the combined passenger capacity exceeds 3,500, the number of passengers allowed on each vessel will be adjusted proportionately.

To avoid inconvenience to passengers, if a vessel becomes unable to operate due to mechanical problems, the concerned company will not be allowed to sell or issue travel passes for more than 15 days at a time. If any vessel remains out of service, other operators may carry its passengers through mutual coordination, provided the overall limit of 3,500 passengers is maintained.

Strict instructions have also been issued regarding weather conditions and navigational safety. Vessels will be allowed to operate only in favourable and calm weather. Services must remain suspended if a warning signal of 3 or higher is issued for the seaports or if the sea becomes rough due to adverse weather.

Each vessel must also carry adequate life-saving equipment in accordance with the licence issued by the Department of Shipping.

To protect the environment, carrying banned polythene and single-use plastics will be prohibited. Tourists have been advised to bring their own water flasks.

Tickets must be collected through the recognised web portal of the Bangladesh Tourism Board. Every ticket must contain a travel pass and a QR code. Tickets without QR codes will be considered counterfeit.

The instructions further state that tourists will be allowed to stay overnight on Saint Martin’s Island in December and January. However, any new government directives issued later must be followed.

Lighting, loud noise and barbecue parties will be prohibited on the island’s beaches and adjacent areas at night. Entering kewra forests, collecting kewra fruits and trading them will also remain prohibited.

To protect the island’s biodiversity, no harm may be caused to marine turtles, birds, corals, shells, starfish, horseshoe crabs, seagrass or algae.

Motorcycles, sea bikes and other vehicles will be prohibited on the beach. Passengers will also not be allowed to feed flying birds with chips or other food from vessels.

In addition, vessels will not be allowed to enter the core zone of the Marine Protected Area designated by the Forest Department. Ships must ensure adequate dustbins and proper waste management facilities.

Operators have also been instructed to control vessel speed and maintain a safe distance while approaching and docking at the jetty.

Any restrictions imposed by the government due to ongoing tensions along the Myanmar border must also be followed. Operators will have to comply with all instructions and conditions set by the district administration and other relevant authorities.

Separate orders approving the route permits and schedules of the vessels were signed by Salma Afroz, BIWTA Deputy Director (Navigation Safety and Traffic).

Meanwhile, Hossainul Islam Bahadur, president of the Ship Owners Association, said they would travel to Saint Martin’s Island tomorrow if they had 100 passengers.