Chattogram Port operations have come to a standstill in the past two days due to workers and employees initiating an indefinite work stoppage in response to the government’s decision to lease the crucial New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World, a Dubai-based company. Concerns have been raised by insiders that if the impasse persists, there could be a spike in commodity prices before Ramadan and potential missed export deadlines.
Fazley Ekram Chowdhury, the president of the Berth Operators, Ship-Handling Operators, and Terminal Operators Owners Association, described the complete shutdown as unprecedented following an initial eight-hour strike observed by the protesters from Saturday to Monday. The strike escalated further, resulting in deserted jetties and yards at the port, with no movement of people or vehicles and all facilities closed.
The disruption has led to a halt in container handling at the main jetties, leaving 11 vessels, including eight container ships, stranded. Limited special arrangements enabled only four vessels to depart from specific jetties, while the main jetties remained inactive. Maersk, a prominent shipping line, issued a customer advisory highlighting the operational uncertainties and potential delays caused by the ongoing strike.
The deadlock has also impacted the transportation of import, export, and empty containers between the port and 19 private inland container depots since Tuesday morning, as reported by Md Ruhul Amin Sikder, the secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association. This situation has raised concerns among exporters regarding meeting peak shipment season schedules.
Key industry figures, including Mohammad Hatem of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Faruque Hassan of the Giant Group, have expressed worries over production and shipment delays due to the standoff. Shovon Islam, the managing director of Sparrow Group, emphasized the potential negative impact on overall export earnings.
In response to the crisis, Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain announced plans to engage with the protesters at the port to address the situation. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the port’s interests and job security for workers while ensuring recruitment is done locally without employing foreign workers. Hossain clarified that negotiations with DP World have been ongoing for the past three months, dispelling claims of rushing into the deal ahead of an upcoming election.
Regarding the legal proceedings, Hossain noted that the court would convene on Sunday to address the appeal related to the leasing process. The Supreme Court chamber judge has referred the petition seeking a status quo on leasing the NCT to DP World to a full bench for a hearing on February 9, filed by the Bangladesh Jubo Arthanitibid Forum on February 1.
