The riverine country of Bangladesh is drenched with more than 8,000 km of navigable waterways and rives, creating an aqueous plain the sight of which is unparalleled to anything that anyone could ever imagine. The deltas are so huge and incomprehensible that the only possible way to tackle them is by boat. And there is no shortage of it in Bangladesh. From top-of-the-line modern launch and ships to 100 years old paddle-wheel steamer, the sheer variation of the vessel can amaze you. While some of them became iconic due to the experience and luxury that they offer, some became iconic due to the impact that they have on our day-to-day lives. Here are the 5 most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh.
MV Kirtonkhola – 10
Among the most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh, MV Kirtonkhola -10 might be the most popular launch to have placed a spot on our list. This launch is made by Salma Shipping Corporation and operates on Dhaka-Barishal route and has been doing so for years. Kirtonkhola launch series is one of the oldest series of launches in the Dhaka-Barishal route and became very popular over the years for their services.
But, MV Kirtonkhola-10, the latest of the bunch, is one of the biggest, most luxurious, and fastest launches to have ever operated in this route. The interior of the launch is stunning and equipped with many modern facilities including Tv, wifi, AC, and many more. This three-storey vessel is capable of carrying over 1200 people per trip. It features 102 single cabins, 70 double cabins, a semi VIP cabin, 2 Family VIP cabins, 6 VIP cabins, a food court, coronary care unit (CCU), and many more. And the fare ranges from 200 BDT to 6000 BDT depending on the accommodation.
MV Sundarban – 10
Launched by the Sundarban Navigation Company (SNC), MV Shundarban is the largest and the most luxurious passenger vessel to have ever operated in Dhaka-Barishal route. This is a 300 feet x 50 feet four storey behemoth. Just like MV Kirtonkhola-10, MV Sundarban-10 is equipped with all sorts of modern amenities and facilities including wifi, live tv, AC, coronary care unit (CCU), and an elevator. Also, it is adorned with an exceptional interior design. Features like these made it an instant hit and one of the most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh. There is various kind of accommodation facilities available including single cabin, double cabin, a semi VIP cabin, VIP cabin, VIP-duplex business class cabin, and sofa. The fare ranges from 200 BDT to 7000 BDT and dependant on the type of accommodation.
MV Hamza and MV Rustam
Speaking of the most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh, salvage vessel MV Hamza and MV Rustam may place in a different kind of vessel category but they surely are iconic. Chances are most of us may have seen these two vessels in various news channels during any big rescue mission. Bangladesh is prone to many natural disasters including thunderstorms, floods, and many more. It is for these reasons many ships and launches capsize or get into an accident every year. And for years Hamza and Rustam, two of the countries oldest and most reliable rescue vessels, have been rescuing them from those kinds of incidents. Along with two of its new siblings- Nirbhik and Pratyay, these two are still operating. Both of these vessels had the capacity to pull 60 tons each but lost much of it due to old age.
PS Ostrich
PS Ostrich is one of Bangladesh’s four historic paddle-wheel steamers that are still operating on different routes. The other three – the PS Mahsud, PS Lepchaand PS Tern – are all still in operation, but it is the Ostrich that first catches the attention with its steampunk design and dirty-yellow veneer. It is a colonial relic of British East India’s time in Bengal.
These paddle-wheel steamers are called ‘the Rockets’ because they were once the fastest vessel on the water. Ps Ostrich has a capacity for 700 people but that can swell up to 3000 on holidays such as EID. Ps Ostrich offers a 20 hours long epic journey through 17 different rivers and picturesque natural beauty to the city of Morrelganj on the fringes of the Sundarbans. This will cost you from BDT 3,740 to BDT 4000. If you want to spend some quality time in one of the most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh, hop on to the PS Ostrich.
MV Bay One
Karnafuly shipbuilders Ltd. recently added MV Bay One into their fleet for quenching the thirst of wanderlust travelers of Bangladesh. This is the most advanced and luxurious cruise ship that has ever sailed from Bangladesh. With myriad types of suits and cabins, MV Bay One is equipped with every modern amenity and facility. The fare ranges from BDT 2500 to BDT 30000. The 6th-floor ship is 121 meters long and can house 2000 passengers at once. It was mainly scheduled to cruise from Chattogram to Saint martin but currently are operating on Cox’s Bazar-Saint martin route. MV Bay One is truly a remarkable ship with unparalleled comfort and uncompromisable safety.
It is not for any particular thing that it became special, rather it is the accumulation of all the things offered by the MV Bay One that made it one of the most iconic launches and ships of Bangladesh.
The riverine beauty of Bangladesh is on another level. The rivers and the waterways harbor the most exclusive and serene sights that can only truly be experienced through the equally amazing launch or ship ride. Have you ridden any of these launches or ships? Share your experience in the comments section below.
