United News of Bangladesh

Operations at Chattogram Port, the country’s busiest trade hub, have come to a standstill as a strike by port workers and employees drags on, triggering significant delays in imports and exports, as talks are underway between labour representatives and port authorities to resolve the crisis. The strike continued for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday protesting the plans to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. As a result, import-export trade has come to a standstill, inflicting losses worth several hundred crore taka on shipping lines. Read More: Chattogram Port workers plan 24-hour walkout as NCT leasing dispute deepens The workers of Chattogram Port have been observing work stoppages for eight hours a day over the past three days from Saturday to Monday while they observed a 24-hr strike from Tuesday morning. Amid the worsening situation, port-related business leaders have sat in an emergency meeting with labour leaders in a bid to resolve the crisis around 2 pm on Wednesday at a hotel in Agrabad area of the Chattogram port city and it continued until the filing of this report. Labour leaders said port workers and employees went on an eight-hour strike protesting the agreement with a foreign company to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) from Saturday. As their demands were not met, they announced a 24-hour strike from Wednesday. The protesters also alleged that although the NCT is a self-sustaining and profitable terminal built with the port’s own funds, steps are being taken to hand it over to a foreign company. They also claimed that the decision could threaten national sovereignty and lead to job losses for many workers. The labour leaders also demanded to withdraw the decision to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. Meanwhile, the port authorities said the process of signing a contract with a foreign company to operate the NCT is underway to make Chattogram Port more dynamic and modern. The matter has not yet been finalised. Moreover, a writ petition was filed against the contract which had already been dismissed by the High Court. Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease Severe Impact on Trade Nearly 92% of the country’s import-export cargo is transported through Chattogram Port. Due to the work stoppage, port operations have almost come to a halt. More than 10,000 export-laden containers have piled up, while queues of vessels waiting at jetties and outer anchorage continue to grow. Omar Faruk, director (admin) of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) said the ongoing movement is having only a limited impact on import-export trade. He urged the protesters not to disrupt cargo handling and delivery operations. Already 16 workers involved in leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka as a disciplinary measure, he said. Business leaders said Chattogram Port is the heart of the country’s economy and the severe agitation must be stopped to keep it operational. Any delay, they warned, would force the entire economy to pay a heavy price. Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury said unrest has prevailed at Chattogram Port for the last four days centring on an appeal hearing at the High Court that declared the operation of NCT by Dubai-based DP World lawful. Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease Processions, rallies, blockades and mass transfers have heightened tensions in the port area, severely hampering import-export operations at jetties, yards and terminals, he said. Besides, the ready-made garment sector has suffered the most due to the strike, he added. Head of operations of MSC Shipping, Azmir Hossain Chowdhury  said delays in unloading and loading cargo due to the strike have forced shipping lines to pay demurrage of at least $15,000 per vessel per day on average. If the situation continues, losses could multiply, he warned. Additional costs for fuel, crew management and port usage are also rising, while the port’s international reputation is being harmed, he said. Meanwhile, Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, General Secretary of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), said import and export activities largely depend on 21 private inland container depots (ICDs) or off-docks around Chattogram Port. On average, more than 3,500 import containers and around 3,000 export containers—about 6,500 containers in total—are transported daily between the port and these off-docks.

Workers and employees of Chattogram Port observed a strike for the second consecutive day on Sunday at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), protesting the government’s decision to lease the terminal to foreign firm DP World, disrupting import-export and worsening vessel congestion. Cargo handling at the port remained suspended as loading and unloading of goods from ships came to a halt, causing growing suffering for traders and raising concerns over mounting financial losses. Ignoring a cautionary notice issued by the Chattogram Port Authority, workers began demonstrations on Saturday and continued the work stoppage. The strike was enforced from the morning at the call of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, SCOP and several other labour organisations. Movement  of container-laden lorries, trailers and covered vans inside the port area remained suspended. Ctg port operations stumble amid strike against NCT lease plan Business leaders expressed fears that prolonged disruption of port operations could lead to severe vessel congestion and significant damage to the country’s import-export activities. Meanwhile, the port authority transferred four officials to Pangaon in Dhaka for defying port directives and participating in Saturday’s strike. An investigation committee has also been formed in this connection. The Chattogram Port Authority said that following Saturday’s strike, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued a notification banning all kinds of rallies, protests and public gatherings in the port area for one month starting Sunday. Chattogram Port Director (Administration) Mohammad Omar Faruk said the High Court has already delivered its verdict regarding the NCT. “If anyone creates disorder by defying the verdict, the port authority will take strict action,” he warned. He added that disciplinary measures would be taken against officers and employees found participating in processions or protest programmes during office hours.    

Vehicle imports through Bangladesh’s main seaport have jumped sharply ahead of the national election through Chattogram port, giving a significant boost to government revenue. More than 7,000 vehicles were cleared through the port over the past six months, generating over Tk 1,200 crore in customs revenue, according to data provided by port and customs officials. The volume marks a record for both Chattogram Port Authority and Chattogram Customs House, driven by stronger demand and faster clearance following policy interventions by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The officials said importers have accelerated deliveries in recent months, partly to meet pre-election demand and partly to avoid the risk of higher tariffs in the future. Read more: Police to act against noise from vehicles, construction work, loudspeakers For years, hundreds of imported vehicles had remained stuck in the port’s car sheds as legal disputes and procedural delays prevented importers from taking delivery. Recent measures by the NBR have helped unlock those bottlenecks, allowing both older stock and newly imported vehicles to clear more quickly. As a result, importers are now taking delivery of at least 50 vehicles a day, easing congestion and encouraging fresh imports. Under port regulations, vehicles left uncleared for more than 30 days are transferred to Customs for auction. Currently, only 103 vehicles meet the criteria for auction — a sharp decline from previous years. Data from the Chattogram Port Authority shows a steady rise in monthly imports since the start of the current fiscal year. In July, just 450 vehicles arrived through the port. The number crossed 1,000 in August and climbed to 1,058 vehicles in December. In total, importers brought in 841 brand-new vehicles and 6,225 other vehicles through 16 specialised roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships over the six-month period. “Vehicle imports have increased significantly compared to the beginning of the fiscal year,” said Omar Faruk, Director (Administration) of the Chattogram Port Authority. “Faster clearance has helped reduce congestion in the port’s car sheds.” Read more: Bangladesh suspends Vannamei shrimp fry imports amid disease concerns Customs data points to a similar trend. Sharif Md. Al-Amin, Assistant Commissioner at Chattogram Customs House, said that during the first six months of the last fiscal year, the port cleared 6,651 vehicles, generating Tk 1,153 crore in revenue. “Compared to the previous fiscal year, this represents an increase of 1,034 vehicles and an additional Tk 124 crore in revenue,” he said. Industry insiders say the surge reflects broader dynamics in Bangladesh’s vehicle import market. Mohammed Habibur Rahman, former Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA), said the country imports more than 20,000 cars annually, primarily from Japan and other markets. While Chattogram handles a large share of those imports, many traders prefer Mongla port, citing lower costs and quicker processing times, he added. Still, the recent uptick at Chattogram has sharply reduced backlog. Only 471 vehicles are currently waiting for delivery at the port’s two car sheds, which together can accommodate 1,250 vehicles. In previous months, the number had hovered around 2,000. Read more: Bangladesh Bank allows 270-day credit for LPG imports With clearance speeding up and revenue climbing, officials say the port’s vehicle yards are now operating at a fraction of the pressure seen earlier,  an uncommon development ahead of a national election, when trade flows typically face uncertainty.

Chattogram Port has decided to increase its tariff by an average of 30 percent for import and export activities. Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain made the announcement on Friday while talking to the media following a visit to the port in the morning. “This is the first tariff adjustment since 1986. The decision was made in consultation with relevant ministries and stakeholders,” the adviser said, adding that while the move is expected to boost revenue, it may also raise costs for businesses involved in import and export. The government aims to enhance the capacity of Chattogram Port and elevate its status on the global stage, Sakhawat said.  To achieve this, he said, foreign operators may be engaged in managing operations at the port.  He,  however, assured that the overall control and supervision would remain in the hands of the government. The Adviser urged all concerned not to spread misinformation regarding the involvement of foreign operators. Sakhawat Hossain mentioned that the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) has seen significant progress since the Navy assumed operational responsibilities from Saif Powertec on July 7.  Chattogram port sets record in container handling in 2024 Currently, container handling at the terminal has increased by approximately 13 percent, with an average of 3,200 containers being handled daily. Chattogram Dry Dock Limited, operating under the supervision of the Bangladesh Navy, took over the NCT’s operations after 16 years. The terminal has since demonstrated improved performance, equipped with modern superstructure and international-standard facilities, the Adviser said. He also acknowledged that the previous operator had also performed well during its tenure. While at the port, the Shipping  Adviser  inspected the ongoing container loading and unloading operations at the NCT and was briefed on the recent progress. Commander of the Bangladesh Navy’s Chattogram region, Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, stated that from July 7 to July 24, an average of 3,250 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled daily at NCT under the management of Chattogram Dry Dock — marking a 12.10 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous month. He added that during this period, 30 vessels successfully completed container operations and that vessel turnaround time has been reduced by 10 hours. Currently, four vessels are simultaneously being handled at jetties 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the NCT. Port users and traders believe that Chattogram Dry Dock’s effective management has accelerated overall port operations, contributing to more efficient import-export processes and positively impacting the national economy.

Container handling at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port has seen a significant improvement in the first seven days of operational management by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (from 7 July to 13, according to CA’s Press Wing. During this period, the terminal recorded an average of 3,181 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) handled per day, compared to 2,956 TEUs a day during the previous seven days when the terminal was managed by Saif Powertec Limited. This marks an increase of 225 TEUs per day, reflecting a positive improvement in efficiency and performance, it said. Chattogram port sets record in container handling in 2024 The NCT terminal had long been operated by Saif Powertec Limited and upon the expiry of its contract with Chittagong Port on July 6, 2025, the Ministry of Shipping approved the handover of operational responsibility to Chittagong Dry Dock Limited. Container loading and unloading of 10 vessels were successful in seven days and currently four vessels are being handled simultaneously at the four berths of the NCT terminal.

Chittagong Dry Dock Limited under Bangladesh Navy took over the responsibility of operating much-discussed the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chittagong  port on Sunday midnight ending Saif Powertec’s 17-year operation of the facility. Chittagong Port Authority transferred the terminal to Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, a ship yard managed by the Navy, for six months at midnight, port officials said. “NCT operations have been handed over to Chattogram Dry Dock following government instructions and approval from the Port Authority's board meeting,” said Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruk. He said a six-month agreement has been signed with Chattogram Dry Dock to run the terminal which came into effect from Monday. Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, formerly an enterprise of Bangladesh Steel & Engineering Corporation, was created as a complementary facility to Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to cater regular and emergency repair needs of the national flag carrier vessels as well as vessels those touch Chittagong Port. Chittagong Port should be run with domestic resources: GOC  On 23rd December 2015, CDDL was handed over to Bangladesh Navy (BN) and now being operated under the management of BN as state owned limited company. The CDDL will initially be responsible for managing NCT for six months under the direct procurement method. Saif Powertec Managing Director Tarafder Ruhul Amin said they have officially handed over NCT to the Navy but continue operations at Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) under a separate agreement. Chattogram port has four container terminals — Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), General Cargo Berth (GCB, handling container and bulk cargo) and Patenga Container Terminal (PCT). NCT alone handled 44 percent of the 3.2 million TEUs of containers managed by Chattogram port in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Saif Powertec had been operating NCT since 2007.

Operations at the Customs House in Chattogram remained suspended for a second straight day on Sunday, as officials and staff of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) continued their ‘complete shutdown’ programme, bringing activities at the country’s premier seaport to a standstill. The shutdown programme severely disrupted operations at the Chittagong Port, the country’s key trade gateway, causing serious difficulties for traders and exporters. Sources said some 38,000 containers remained stranded at the port over the past two days till Sunday afternoon, said Omar Faruk, secretary of Chittagong Port. Authorities fear that if the deadlock is not resolved by Sunday, cargo delivery from the port may come to a complete halt. The bonded warehouse operations and customs clearance processes at Chittagong Port are closely interconnected. Any disruption in customs clearance directly impacts port activity. Stakeholders fear worsening container and vessel congestion if the situation persists. During a visit to Customs House, Chattogram, this correspondent found the office largely empty, with import and export clearance processes suspended. Even previously cleared consignments are now facing complications due to a lack of customs officers for final inspection. Officials stationed at the port gates are not conducting scanning or examinations, halting cargo release by port authorities. According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council, the complete shutdown has been enforced across all customs, VAT and tax offices in the country since Saturday, though international passenger services remain unaffected. A peaceful ‘March to NBR’ campaign is also being observed across the country. Omar Faruk said, “Our operations are continuing for now, but if customs clearance does not resume, we will have to stop as well.” He, however, said the vessels for which the customs clearance process had been completed earlier are loading and unloading goods at the jetty. Finance Adviser ‘declines’ meeting with NBR Reform Unity Council amid protests The goods for which customs duties had been paid earlier are also being cleared, he said. “However, no vessel has been registered since Saturday morning. Those arriving at the outer anchorage cannot berth at jetties until the customs shutdown is withdrawn or officers return to work. If the situation continues, the entire port may become inoperative in the next couple of days,” said Faruk. The NBR officials under the banner of NBR Unity Council continued their ‘complete shutdown’ for the second consecutive day on Sunday, demanding the immediate removal of its chairman. The NBR Reform Unity Council has been demonstrating with a series of protest programmes demanding structural reforms and the removal of the NBR Chairman citing allegations of administrative irregularities, officer intimidation, and obstruction of pro-reform efforts. NBR officials’ ‘complete shutdown’ enters day 2 Since early June the agitating officials have held work abstentions, hunger strikes, and human chains, disrupting services in tax, VAT and customs offices across the country. The protests began after the government issued an ordinance on May 12 dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division. As a critical component of NBR, Chattogram Customs' participation in the shutdown has led to near paralysis of port operations. The port handles approximately 92% of the country’s seaborne trade, and customs activities, including duty assessment and submission of bills of entry, have come to a halt, severely disrupting cargo movement.  

Port workers have warned of enforcing shutdowns and blockades if the government proceeds with any move to hand over operations of the Chattogram Port to foreign companies. Speaking at a protest rally in the port area on Friday afternoon, labour leaders alleged that a conspiracy to privatise the port began during the previous Awami League government, when operations of various terminals were handed over to private operators. They claimed the current interim government is following that same path by attempting to transfer the management of the NCT and CCT to foreign companies. They said that if the decision is not scrapped immediately, they will bring port activities to a standstill through hartals, blockades and work stoppages. Govt wants to punish evil circles: CHT Adviser The protest rally was organised by the Chattogram Port Combined Workers-Employees Federation. BNP’s Central Labour Affairs Secretary A M Nazim Uddin attended the rally as chief guest while labour Party President Anwar Hossain and Kazi Sheikh Nurullah Bahar, General Secretary of the Chattogram divisional unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, also addressed the gathering.

The Chittagong Port Authority on Thursday directed all lighter vessels carrying goods to leave the port limit within 72 hours to ensure uninterrupted supply chain and stable market prices during Ramadan. Legal action would be taken against vessels failing to comply with the directive, warned Port Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman while talking to the media. “Recently, it has been observed that after unloading cargo from mother vessels at the outer anchorage, lighter vessels remain within the port limit for extended periods without any valid reason. This disrupts the supply chain, creates artificial crises in the market, increases commodity prices that affect the consumers,” Moniruzzaman said. Creating artificial shortages to manipulate prices is against the interests of the country and people and the prolonged presence of excessive lighter vessels within a restricted area also poses security risks, he added. The port chairman said keeping the port limit free of obstructions is crucial for the uninterrupted movement of international commercial vessels. The unauthorised presence of  lighter vessels within the port boundary is a clear violation of the Chittagong Port Act and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

Despite political unrest earlier in the year and recurrent floods, Chattogram Port has witnessed a record-breaking year in 2024, registering a 7.42% growth in container handling compared to 2023. Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority, disclosed the information on Wednesday during a visit to port activities. The port handled a total of 32.76 lakh containers and 12.39 crore metric tonnes of goods during the year. Cargo handling also saw a 3.11% growth. Dr Yunus asks fire probe committee to submit recommendations in 10 days “Chattogram Port has achieved the highest volume of container and cargo handling in its history in 2024,” Moniruzzaman said. Besides, the port recorded a revenue income of Tk 5,055.99 crore, a 21.39% increase from the previous year’s Tk 4,165.18 crore. The revenue surplus stood at Tk 2,948.97 crore, marking a 37.60% rise compared to the previous year’s Tk 2,143.10 crore. The revenue expenditure was Tk 2,107.2 crore, which is 4.20% less than last year’s Tk 2,202.8 crore. Sources said Chattogram Port, ranked 67th among the world’s 100 busiest ports, has been facing several challenges in recent years. CMP issues 13 guidelines for 31st night celebrations in the port city The ongoing dollar crisis led to restrictions on luxury goods imports, slowing container and cargo handling at the port. In 2023, container handling dropped to 3.05 lakh metric tonnes, while cargo volume fell to 12.2 crore metric tonnes. Moreover, the student-led movement in July and August this year and devastating floods in September further impacted the country’s economy.