The usual movement of ships on the Saint Martin’s route has been temporarily halted as operators anticipate a decline in tourist numbers during the upcoming Ramadan season.
Effective Monday, two key vessels, MV Baro Aulia and Karnaphuli Express, that typically navigate the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s route will cease operations. The decision to suspend services is attributed to the completion of Inani jetty installation, concerns about the unpredictable April weather, and the possibility of nor’westers.
Nurul Alam, administrator of Karnaphuli Cruise Line, clarified that this temporary suspension is a seasonal measure, with plans to resume tourist ship operations from Cox’s Bazar to Saint Martin’s in the next tourist season, slated to begin in September.
While the Cox’s Bazar district administration has not issued specific instructions, ship owners are autonomously deciding based on considerations related to tourist traffic.
This temporary pause follows a similar situation on February 9 when the movement of tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin waterway was halted due to ongoing conflicts in villages near the Bangladesh border. As stakeholders weigh various factors, including weather conditions and regional developments, the Saint Martin’s route is expected to resume normal operations when conditions are favorable.
