State-owned Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is gearing up to float three sea cruisers in the first half of 2026, deferred by a few months for furnishing works.
The ships – Shamudra Bilash, Oasis of Bengal, and Neelkamal – each will have star-rated amenities and amusement to carry over 300 tourists through the sea. They can sail from river ports and navigate within 20 nautical miles of the coast, BIWTC Chief Engineer and Project Director Md Ziaul Islam told TIMES of Bangladesh.
For the first time in Bangladesh, the three cruise ships will enable outbound tour packages to regional tourist destinations as well as inbound ones from countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Pakistan, Iran, and the Gulf countries, said the corporation’s Communications Head Mohammad Nazrul Islam Misha.
Already built at the Karnafuly Dock in Narayanganj, the cruise ships were scheduled to be floated by the end of this year, said BIWTC Chairman Md Salim Ullah.
“However, for the sake of quality furnishing tasks, it may take a few more months,” he said.
According to the chairman, the ships will be chartered to private tour operators or the state-run Bangladesh Tourism Corporation for tour operations.
Misha said the government has been working on affordable Hajj through BIWTC ships, and the three cruise ships can also halve the travel cost compared to what Muslim pilgrims spend for air travel to Saudi Arabia.
Karnafuly’s Chairman and Managing Director Abdur Rashid told TIMES of Bangladesh that they are furnishing the ships with quality equipment, furniture, and appliances to please tourists, both domestic and international.
“As per the buyer’s requirement standards, we are procuring things both from local and international sources,” he added.
The initial cost of the three cruise ships was set at Tk232 crore, which may rise further, hinted BIWTC officials.
