Tourist ships began operating on the Teknaf–Saint Martin's route on Friday morning.
Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh President Tofail Ahmad said after a long wait, tourist ships have started ferrying passengers from Teknaf to Saint Martin's Island with the permission of the administration.
Two ships, MV Parijat and MV Rajhansa, left for Saint Martin's with 610 passengers at around 9:30am on Friday, he said.
Other ships will start sailing next Saturday, he added.
Cox's Bazar Additional District Magistrate Abu Sufian said: "According to the district administration's decision, the movement of ships has been allowed subject to certain environmental conditions. Later, other ships will be able to start operating on the Saint Martin's route.”
Tour Operators Association of Cox's Bazar President Anwar Kamal said there are only two months left for the tourism season. Now people will be able to visit the beautiful island.
“Many students travel to Saint Martin's. Also, many low-income people want to see the island. We request ship owners to consider offering them low fares,” he said.
“Above all, we hope that tourists can travel to Saint Martin's safely,” he added.
Tourist ship operations on the Teknaf-Saint Martin's waterway were suspended for over three months due to a navigability crisis and unrest along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
