Lightering operations commence at Chittagong Port

Lighterage services resumed at 16 stations and the outer anchorage of the Karnaphuli River near Chittagong Port on Sunday morning, following the end of an indefinite strike by water transport workers.

"The lighter ships have already moved to the outer anchorage to load and unload cargoes and containers from mother vessels," Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Omar Faruk confirmed to The Financial Express on Sunday afternoon.

The strike was called off after a high-level meeting on Saturday night, which was attended by the Director General of the Directorate of Shipping Commodore Maqsood Alam, along with representatives from the coast guard, naval police, police, intelligence agencies, and the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation, sources reported.

The two-day strike, prompted by the murder of seven lighter ship workers in Chandpur, caused significant disruptions to the country's supply chain and industrial production. Labour leaders agreed to end the strike following government assurances to address their demands, including improved waterway security.

Their demands included Tk 2.0 million in compensation for the families of the seven murdered workers, including the master of the MV Al Bakhera ship, and measures to end terrorism, extortion, and robbery on waterways.

"After a successful discussion, lighterage operations at the outer anchorage have resumed, as weather conditions are also favorable," said Sheikh Mohammed Isha Meah, President of the Bangladesh Lighterage Workers Union.

Nobi Alam, Vice President of the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation, added, "Over 1,500 lighter ships and oil tankers, which were at a standstill in the Karnaphuli River, have resumed operations. The situation has returned to normal."