Tourist ship services resume on Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s route after 9 months

After a nine-month hiatus, tourist ships have resumed operations on the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin route, bringing relief to tourism businesses. 

For the first time, visitors must complete a government-mandated registration process to travel to Saint Martin’s Island.

A ship named “Bar Aulia” departed from the BIWTA terminal in Cox’s Bazar, carrying 653 passengers to the island.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, confirmed the resumption of ship operations. On the first day, Bar Aulia carried 653 passengers, with other vessels set to follow suit.

Nilufa Yasmin Chowdhury, convener of the Saint Martin Tourism Management Committee and Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said the first ship departed successfully, and authorities inspected all arrangements.

Ship services from Teknaf remain suspended due to silt formation in the Naf River and security concerns from recent border clashes in Myanmar. Currently, only Cox’s Bazar is approved as a departure point.

The government permits ship operations on the Teknaf-Saint Martin and Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin routes from October to March each year, suspending them during the monsoon season due to rough seas. 

This year, to protect the island’s environment, the government has introduced a cap on tourist numbers. Travelers must now register through an app provided by the Ministry of Tourism before visiting Saint Martin’s Islam.