15 Ctg port staff transferred to Payra, Mongla ports

The Ministry of Shipping today issued an office order transferring 15 employees of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to the Payra and Mongla Port Authorities on an attachment basis, with immediate effect.

The latest transfers come after earlier orders on 31 January and 1 February, under which several CPA employees were posted to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal and offices in Dhaka.

The move comes amid escalating protests and work stoppages at Chattogram Port over the proposed handover of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based DP World. Labour unions have described the transfers as punitive measures against employees opposing the deal, which they argue threatens national interests and job security.

The order, signed by Assistant Secretary Md Belayet Hossain, refers to an earlier communication from the CPA and states that the transfers were made in the public interest. It follows reports of four employees being transferred on 1 February and another 12 earlier to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Dhaka.

The affected employees were serving in key departments of the CPA, including traffic, engineering and administration, and were attached to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal and Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka before being reassigned to other ports.

According to the order, Md Humaiun Kabir, an assistant audit officer attached to Pangaon ICT, has been transferred to Mongla Port. Md Ibrahim Khokon, an engine driver attached to Pangaon ICT, and Md Faridur Rahman, an SS khalashi from the engineering department attached to Pangaon ICT, have been transferred to Payra Port.

Mohammad Shafi Uddin, an upper division assistant from the traffic department attached to Pangaon ICT in Dhaka, and Rashidul Islam, another upper division assistant from the same department, have also been transferred to Payra Port.

Abdullah Al Mamun, an upper division assistant from the full container load branch, has been posted to Mongla Port. Md Zahirul Islam, a stenotypist from the planning department attached to Kamalapur ICD, has been transferred to Payra Port.

Khandakar Masumuzzaman, a stenotypist, has been transferred to Mongla Port, while Md Humaiun Kabir, an SS painter from the electrical department attached to Kamalapur ICD, has been posted to Payra Port.

Md Shakil Rayhan, an upper division assistant, Manik Mia, an equipment control and maintenance driver, Md Shamsu Mia, a master sergeant, and Aminur Rasul Bulbul, another equipment control and maintenance driver, have all been transferred to Mongla Port.

Md Liakat Ali, an equipment control and maintenance driver, and Md Rabbni, a khalashi from the mechanical department, have been transferred to Payra Port.

Copies of the order have been sent to the chairmen of the Chattogram, Mongla and Payra port authorities, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping, for necessary action.

Port officials said the transfers were routine administrative decisions aimed at maintaining operational discipline. Union leader Ibrahim Khokon, however, described the move as retaliatory and warned of tougher protest programmes. Ongoing disruptions have already affected port operations, with vessels waiting offshore and exporters facing shipment delays.