Dhaka, Nov. 4 -- More than 700 tickets have been sold for trips from Cox's Bazar to St Martin's Island, but uncertainty remains over when ships will begin carrying tourists despite official approvals.

Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh General Secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur said operators had yet to receive final clearance or decide when to sail.

But Cox's Bazar Assistant Commissioner Mahmudur Rahman Sayem said no ship would leave on Thursday. Officials will meet shipowners before announcing a departure date.

"We will discuss the matter and arrange to postpone the trips. We will decide on the next steps after a meeting on Thursday," he said.

Meanwhile, MV Teknaf Manager Akhtar Noor said tickets for his vessel would...