Unsafe shipping in Naf River threatens St Martin's tourism

Risky shipping in the Naf River due to the ongoing conflict at the Rakhine State of Myanmar close to Bangladesh border is posing a serious threat to the tourism sector of Saint Martin's Island.

Uncertainty over sailing on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route, the main way to reach the only coral island of the country, has become a concern, when the businessmen engaged in this sector centring the island are taking their full- gear preparation to start a new tourism season.

The tourism season in the island starts in October-November and lasts until March of the following year.

Eight passenger ships carry around 6,000 to 8,000 travellers to the island every day.

These ships go to the island crossing the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal starting their journey from different jetties in Teknaf upazila of Cox' Bazar.

However, this year, an uncertainty is prevailing over the shipping of the passenger carriers through the Naf River due to security reason as a conflict is going on at the Rakhine State of Maynmar.

The administration is still in confusion over whether it will give permission for shipping to the Saint Martin's through the Naf River.

Saint Martin's east lies Myanmar's Rakhine state, which has recently been the site of fierce fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, one of many ethnic armed organisations that has joined the resistance against the junta.

Now the conflict between the resistance group and the junta has reached the doorstep of the island.

Md Adnan Chowdhury, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar, told this correspondent that administration is yet to determine when sailing of ships to Saint Martin's Island will begin for this season. But there is a possibility to start it from early November, he added.

The official further said there is no possibility of sailing through the Naf River as conflict in Rakhine state is still continuing. These ships may sail from different jetties of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar city and Inani Beach.

Killing of a fisherman by Myanmar Navy on Wednesday during fishing in the Bay of Bengal near St Martin's Island intensified the crisis and gives a message that sailing through the Naf River is still a security concern.

Meanwhile, Chattogram-Saint Martin's, Cox's Bazar town-Saint Martin's and Inani-Saint Martin's routes are more expensive and time consuming for the travellers.

On these routes travelers cannot return on the same day after going to St Martin's. That means one must spend at least one night on the island.

Adnan Ahmed, an official of Sales Department of Keari Sindbad Cruise Ship, told the FE, "At least 6 to 7 hours' time will be needed to go to Saint Martin's from Nuniachara jetty of Cox's Bazar town and the travellers have no way to return from the island on the same day. It will increase their cost indeed."

However, sailing from Teknaf needs only 2.30 to 3 hours to go to Saint Martin's and gives travellers scope to return on the same day.

Closing of the route at the last season due to same reason also forced many transport owners to wrap up their businesses.

Mr Ahmed further said that they have not got any approval from the administration for selling tickets of their ships to Saint Martin's.

On the other hand, Yeasin Ali, an official of Sales Department of Karnaphuli Ship, told the FE that they are issuing tickets of one of their ships that will sail from Inani beach since November 1 this year.

Abdullahil Mamun Niloy, owner of "Neel Hawa Beach Resort" at the Saint Martin's Island, said the island has more than 200 hotels, motels and resorts and those are getting ready to welcome the travellers in this season.

But the late decision of the administration over sailing of the ships may create crisis in the tourism business centring the island, he added.

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