NCT lease row: Work stoppage at Ctg Port enters 2nd day, hundreds of trucks stranded at gates
The stoppage began at 8am under the banner of the Chattogram Port unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, bringing all port activities, including cargo handling and delivery to a halt.
Operations at Chattogram Port remained suspended for a second consecutive day today (1 February) as workers continued a work stoppage protesting the planned lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World.
The stoppage began at 8am under the banner of the Chattogram Port unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, bringing all port activities, including cargo handling and delivery to a halt.
Kazi Nurulla Bahar, general secretary of the port unit of the BNP-backed labour body, confirmed the programme to The Business Standard, saying the protest was part of a pre-announced movement against what he described as the handover of the port's most profitable terminal to a foreign operator at an excessively low rate.
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"Workers are participating spontaneously. As a result, loading and unloading from vessels berthed at the port has completely stopped, and no cargo is being delivered," he said.
Hundreds of trucks were seen waiting at different port gates, with vehicles arriving from across the country unable to load or unload goods due to the shutdown.
Attempts to contact Chattogram Port Authority Director (Administration) Omar Faruk for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.
The renewed stoppage follows a similar programme yesterday (31 January), when workers observed a work abstention from 8am to 4pm. During that period, the country's largest seaport, which handles around 90% of Bangladesh's import-export trade, was effectively paralysed.
Later in the afternoon, the port authority ordered the punitive transfer of four officials, accusing them of participating in and instigating the protests. Despite the move, workers resumed the stoppage on Sunday, heightening concerns among exporters, importers and shipping agents over mounting congestion and potential supply chain disruptions.
The protest is part of a broader standoff over the government and port authority's move to engage DP World to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal, a decision that has triggered repeated demonstrations by port workers and employees' organisations.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated at the port amid court proceedings and administrative directives related to the NCT deal. While authorities argue that involving an experienced global terminal operator would improve efficiency and competitiveness, labour groups and some port stakeholders oppose the move, citing concerns over jobs, national control and transparency.
With no immediate breakthrough in sight, port users fear prolonged disruption could further strain the already pressured logistics chain, particularly as container backlogs and vessel congestion have remained persistent issues at Chattogram port in recent months.
Earlier, on 31 January, port workers' leaders in Chattogram publicly opposed any move to lease the NCT to a foreign operator, alleging that the terminal was being offered at a rate far below its current revenue.
