Tourist ship operation has resumed on Cox’s Bazar-St Martin’s route on a limited scale for the first time in this tourist season.
The ship “Karnaphuli Express” carrying 750 passengers left the BIWTA jetty at Nuniarchhara of Cox’s Bazar around 7:15am on Thursday.
Hosainul Islam Bahadur, manager of Karnaphuli Express, confirmed the matter.
“We are providing the highest security to the passengers,” he said.
A team of tourist police is on board as part of safety measures, said the manager.
The ship is likely to reach St Martin around 12:30pm.
Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid said that due to the navigability crisis the shipping service from Teknaf has been suspended for the time being.
The tourist ship Karnaphuli Express will run on a trial basis on the route, he said.
Permits will also be granted to other vessels in phases, added the DC.
Tofail Ahmed, president of Sea cruise Operator Owners Association, Bangladesh (SCOOAB), the vessel operation on Teknaf-St Martin’s route could not be resumed as firing from across the Myanmar border continued.
“We have taken the decision to launch vessel operations to St Martin from Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong as alternative routes”, he added.
