Arakan State ferryboat services to resume operations next week

By DMG 04 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
4 September 2021, Sittwe 

Ferryboat services in Arakan State, most of which temporarily suspended operations in an effort to help curb the spread of Covid-19, will resume route-running next week. 

Boat lines such as Shwe Pyi Tan, Malikha and Pauktaw Dagun suspended operations on July 20 as Covid-19 cases continued to rise in Arakan State. The boat lines will resume operations over the coming days due to falling infection rates, according to officials from the ferryboat services. 

The Shwe Pyi Tan line began running routes between Sittwe and Pauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya on August 24, with all other routes set to resume in the coming week, said U San Maw Thein, manager of the ferryboat service. 

“The Shwe Pyi Tan will run all routes next week, but we can’t say the exact date. We are currently making arrangements to resume operations,” he said. 

The Shwe Pyi Tan express boat line operates one of Arakan State’s most extensive networks, with routes between Sittwe and Myebon, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Kyauknimaw, Ramree, Taungup, Manaung, Pauktaw, Mrauk-U, Rathedaung and Buthidaung. 

U San Maw Thein said some of the routes would see fare increases due to rising fuel prices, and because the routes would be operated in accordance with the Covid-19 rules, including separate seating systems. 

“The Sittwe-Taungup route previously cost K25,000, but will be increased to K30,000 due to the increase in fuel prices. The routes between Sittwe and Rathedaung and Buthidaung will be charged as usual. The Pauktaw-Mrauk-U-Minbya route is also overcharged K1,000,” he explained. 

The Malikha express boat service — running routes to Rathedaung and Buthidaung from the Arakan State capital Sittwe — will resume operations due to the decline in Covid-19 infections, confirmed Ko Aung Ko Lin, manager of the express boat line. 

U Shwe Baw Thu, chairman of the Pauktaw Dagun express line, which runs routes between Sittwe and Pauktaw, said the boat line is currently operating at normal prices. 

Ferryboat services such as Shwe Pyi Tan, Malikha, Pauktaw Dagun, Issananadi and Shwe Lin Yone provide critical transportation linkages in Arakan State, a largely coastal and riverine region.