Dhaka, Nov. 4 -- A tourist ship will finally sail from Cox's Bazar to St Martin's Island on Thursday, carrying 700 passengers and opening the season's sea route after hours of uncertainty.

MV Bar Auliya will make the first voyage of the tourist season, Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh General Secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur told bdnews24.com after a meeting with the district administration at 9:30pm on Wednesday.

"MV Bar Auliya will go to St Martin's on Thursday morning. One ship will sail. Since there are 700 people, we will send one," he said.

Cox's Bazar District Administrator A Mannan confirmed the approval.

"Yes, they are selling some tickets. One ship will go. We have approved it," he said.

Earlier, at 8pm,...