St Martin’s ship ops face setback

COX’S BAZAR, Oct 29: Ship services to Saint Martin’s Island are unlikely to begin on November 1 despite the reopening of the coral island to tourists due to delays in obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

Operations may begin on November 4 or 5 if the remaining clearances are secured, but the final date remains uncertain.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, disclosed the development following a meeting on tourism management and overall security at the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday.

Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui attended the meeting as the chief guest.

Bahadur said three vessels received clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday morning. However, operators still need approval from the Department of Shipping, route permits from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and permission from the district administration before launching services.

He said an inter-ministerial meeting held on October 12 was followed by a government notification on October 25 and a revised notification on October 27, setting out the conditions for tourist visits to the island.

Three vessels are currently ready for operation, while seven more may join the fleet, Bahadur said.

He added that the Tourism Board chief executive had assured operators that the online booking system would open on November 1, with a daily limit of 3,500 tourists.

Akhtar Nur, general secretary of the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar, raised concerns over infrastructure and safety at the designated jetty. He said the pontoon was in poor condition and lacked adequate security and management facilities.

Under the revised government directive, tourists will be allowed to visit Saint Martin’s Island from November 1, 2026, to March 15, 2027, with a daily cap of 3,500 visitors. 

The previously imposed Tk 100 environmental conservation fee has also been withdrawn.
Tourist vessels are expected to depart from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara in Cox’s Bazar.

The revised directive followed confusion over an earlier notification, which allowed same-day return trips in November and overnight stays in December and January. 

Although the revised notification clarifies the travel arrangements, delays in securing the required approvals have cast doubt on whether ship services will begin as scheduled.