Labour group warns against foreign operators at NCT, says move would 'betray public expectations'
SKOP urged the government to issue a clear policy statement ruling out any move to place NCT, Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) or General Cargo Berth (GCB) under foreign control.
The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), Chattogram, has said that handing over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) or any other key terminal at Chattogram Port to foreign operators would go against public expectations and undermine national trust.
Leaders of the labour platform made the remarks at a rally held this afternoon (10 June) at the Chattogram Zila Parishad premises, followed by the submission of a memorandum to the prime minister through the deputy commissioner.
In the memorandum, SKOP urged the government to issue a clear policy statement ruling out any move to place NCT, Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) or General Cargo Berth (GCB) under foreign control.
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SKOP leaders alleged that there are renewed efforts by certain quarters to revive initiatives to hand over key terminals to foreign operators, while warning that bringing in foreign operators would go against national interest.
The memorandum noted that NCT, partially operational since 2007 and fully commissioned in 2015, has become the highest revenue-generating terminal of Chattogram Port. According to Chattogram Port Authority data, the terminal handled a record 1,26,496 TEUs in May 2026, the highest monthly throughput in its history.
SKOP leaders said the performance data demonstrates that local manpower and domestic management are capable of operating major terminals efficiently.
They also stressed that Chattogram Port is a strategically sensitive installation classified as a key point installation. With Bangladesh Navy facilities, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation installations, and Shah Amanat International Airport located in close proximity, they said port operations are directly linked to national security considerations.
The platform placed a six-point demand, including an immediate halt to any move to hand over NCT, CCT or GCB to foreign operators, cancellation of ongoing discussions with entities such as DP World or other foreign firms, strengthening domestic capacity and technological modernisation, withdrawal of cases against workers, urgent dialogue with labour representatives, and a formal government declaration confirming that the port will not be placed under foreign control.
The rally was chaired by SKOP Joint Coordinator SK Khoda Toton and conducted by Iftekhar Kamal Khan.
