Western Cruise, the first passenger vessel built by Western Marine Shipyard for Chittagong Boat Club. Photo: STAR

Shipbuilder Western Marine Group yesterday delivered its first passenger ship to Chittagong Boat Club.
Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed inaugurated the catamaran-type passenger-ship, Western Cruise, at a ceremony in the port city.
The passenger-ship, built at a cost of Tk 8 crore, can carry 200 passengers. It will be used for river cruises on the Karnaphuli and is the first of its kind built by a Bangladeshi shipyard.
A catamaran is a specially designed luxury passenger carrier with twin hull, much safer than any other passenger-ship.
Ahmed said it would establish naval technical efficiency and could be considered as a great advancement in the tourism sector.
“Cruising along the channel will enhance the importance of the river Karnaphuli to the people of Bangladesh as well as tourists from across the globe,” he added.
For the first time since its establishment in 1986, Chittagong Boat Club has undertaken plans for expansion.
The ship is 31.5-metre long and 8.4-metre wide and will offer people an opportunity to enjoy wonderful sights of the port city.
During any cruise, passengers will enjoy amusements including cultural shows, dining, music and magic. A kids' corner will also be there. The ship can be hired for organising programmes such as conferences and get-together.
Sakhawat Hossain, managing director of Western Marine Shipyard, Begum Shabnam Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Naval Family Welfare Association, Nizam Uddin Ahmed, commodore commanding of Chittagong, Sohail Hasan, chairman of Western Marine Services and Arifur Rahman, technical director of the shipping company, attended the launching ceremony.
Set up in 2000, Western Marine has built over 60 vessels. It has sold some ships to European buyers.