Port workers allege pressure to hand over NCT to DP World at excessive low rate
They rejected any concession that would undermine the port’s financial strength and national control over a key revenue-generating facility
Port workers' leaders in Chattogram have strongly opposed any concession of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator, alleging that efforts are underway to hand over the facility at a rate far below its current earnings.
Speaking at a protest rally in front of Chattogram Port Gate this morning (31 January) under the banner of the newly formed Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Oikya Parishad, leaders of Chattogram Port Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal (former CBA) and Chattogram Port Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal said the platform would coordinate future movements to protect the port's interests and keep import-export operations running.
The leaders claimed that under the existing tariff structure, the NCT generates about $161 per TEU in revenue, while costs, even after being "inflated," stand at around $56. This leaves the port with an income of roughly $105 per container.
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According to them, the Chattogram Port Authority and its rate negotiation committee were considering this $105 figure in discussions over a possible concession. However, they alleged that the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) chief was pressing for the terminal to be conceded to DP World at just $42 per TEU.
They further alleged that senior port officials had been kept under pressure for nearly two weeks to move the concession forward, warning that such a deal would result in significant revenue losses for the state.
The platform rejected any concession that, it said, would undermine the port's financial strength and national control over a key revenue-generating facility. It also demanded the removal of Bida chief Ashik Chowdhury and called for an immediate halt to all initiatives related to conceding the NCT.
Several labour leaders addressed the gathering, reiterating that any future movement would be organised under the Chattogram Port Rokkha Oikya Parishad banner.
At the programme, speakers included former assistant general secretary Mojaher Hossain Shawkat, executive member Abul Kalam Azad, Humayun Kabir (Nimtala), Anwarul Azim Rinku, Sheikh Chanuzar Mia, Shafiqul Islam, Abdur Rauf Liton, Mostafa Chowdhury, Shamsur Rahman Swapan, platform coordinators Advocate Humayun Kabir and Md Ibrahim, among others.
There was no immediate response from Bida or the Chattogram Port Authority regarding the allegations.
