From the bustling port of Chattogram, traversing the Karnaphuli River and the sea, ships once sailed to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah, taking pilgrims to the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah.
For centuries, this was the traditional route for Hajj pilgrims from this region.
However, with the advent of modernity, sea travel ceased decades ago. Now, following renewed discussions last year, the prospect of Hajj travel by sea is once again on the table.
Following political upheavals in Bangladesh, those discussions had nearly disappeared.
Recently, hopes were rekindled after the Saudi government granted approval for the resumption of sea travel for Hajj pilgrims.
On 6 October, a bilateral meeting between Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabiah took place.
Following the meeting, the Saudi minister confirmed the approval. This has sparked discussions on when this long-anticipated sea route could commence and whether it will ultimately succeed, given both the advantages and the numerous challenges involved.
For years, preliminary discussions about facilitating sea travel for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have been ongoing.
The Karnaphuli Ship Builders Limited even conducted a feasibility study through the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC), which deemed the plan viable.
According to their proposal, the entire Hajj process, including round-trip travel, would take 27 days, and sea travel could save pilgrims between one to one-and-a-half lakh taka compared to air travel.
Following the meeting Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain shared on Facebook that the Saudi government had no objections to sending Hajj pilgrims by sea.
However, discussions with port authorities and further consultations with shipping companies would be required.
The Bangladeshi government is contemplating sending 2,000 to 3,000 pilgrims on a trial basis by ship for Hajj.
The renewed discussions have prompted mixed reactions. Some view the revival of the sea route as a positive development, while others point out the potential challenges.
Until the 1980s, Bangladeshi pilgrims used to travel by ship to Saudi Arabia, a journey that took three months round trip, leading to its eventual discontinuation.
However, the current plan would considerably reduce travel time, even though sea travel remains slower than air travel.
40% reduction in costs
If implemented, sea travel could reduce costs by 40% compared to air travel, according to Adviser Dr Khalid Hossain.
Speaking at a recent event, he explained that chartering a ship for Hajj would require approximately Tk2,000 crore.
He stated that if the Bangladesh Bank grants a loan, the government could proceed with the plan. Notably, a shipping company has expressed interest in this endeavour, not for profit, but to earn spiritual merit (sawab), and thus, the journey by sea could be substantially cheaper than air travel.
The proposal by Karnaphuli Ship Builders Limited set the cost of Hajj at Tk4.64 lakh per pilgrim, although the ministry recommended keeping the cost under 4 lakh.
In the government’s latest Hajj package for 2024, the general Hajj package was priced at Tk5.78 lakh, with the newly introduced special package costing Tk9.36 lakh.
Private Hajj packages, which include airfare, were set at Tk1.94 lakh by the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
Under the sea route plan, pilgrims could save between one to Tk1.5 lakh, though they would have to endure the fatigue of a long sea voyage.
It remains unclear whether the interim government has held discussions with Karnaphuli Ship Builders Limited, who previously conducted a feasibility study and prepared the proposal.
Despite attempts, no comment was received from MA Rashid, the managing director of the company.
Hajj by sea: A 29-day journey
According to the proposal by Karnaphuli Ship Builders Limited, the entire Hajj journey by sea would take 29 days—six days each for the journeys to and from Jeddah, and 17 days for the Hajj itself.
Typically, pilgrims spend around 40 days in Saudi Arabia, visiting various religious sites.
Karnaphuli Ship Builders Limited assured that while pilgrims are aboard, the ship would provide for all their needs.
The company has a jetty and terminal adjacent to Bangladesh Marine Academy in Chattogram, where pilgrims could board and disembark. The proposed cruise ship would convert seawater into mineral water for consumption.
Initially, the plan involved purchasing an older ship, but the company later suggested that leasing a suitable vessel from abroad would be more feasible.
Challenges ahead
While the Saudi government’s approval marks a significant step forward, many challenges remain.
Conversations with several experienced sailors highlighted these hurdles.
The middle class may show the most interest in sea travel, but many middle-class pilgrims tend to embark on Hajj in their later years, having saved for it all their lives. The biggest concern is whether elderly pilgrims can endure the rigours of a long sea journey.
Additionally, the current agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia for Hajj travel only mentions air travel, not sea travel, so a revised agreement would be needed.
Even if that is accomplished, there are further logistical considerations, such as where sea passengers would go through immigration.
Furthermore, in the event of a medical emergency at sea, handling such situations would be challenging.
Communication with families would also be difficult in deep-sea areas without a network.
To avoid these complexities, most countries have abandoned sea travel for Hajj.
According to the Ministry of Shipping, Sudan is currently the only country where Hajj pilgrims travel by sea, a practice that resumed in 2018.
Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association Secretary General Sakhawat Hossain said that it is feasible to sail directly from Chattogram to Jeddah without stopping at any ports, provided there is sufficient fuel.
He also noted that the primary goal of the sea route is to reduce costs. While the plan could be beneficial, the financial feasibility needs to be worked out.
Sakhawat Hossain emphasised that reducing the Hajj cost, which once ranged between Tk2.5-3 lakh, is crucial. Once costs are lowered, the sea route option can be compared with air travel, and despite the challenges, if the price is reduced significantly, it could attract more interest from pilgrims.
