Chattogram Port: Export–import operations remain paralysed as strike enters sixth day

An unprecedented nonstop strike at the country’s principal seaport—handling around 92% of Bangladesh’s seaborne trade—has brought all export and import activities to a standstill.

No vessels are berthing or departing, while containers remain stuck at port yards and inland container depots (ICDs), as port employees and workers have been on an indefinite strike since Tuesday morning.

The protest began with eight-hour work stoppages from 8am to 4pm for three consecutive days through Monday, opposing the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based operator DP World.

After their demands went unmet, workers escalated the movement to a 24-hour strike on Monday, followed by a complete shutdown from 8am Tuesday.

Although limited operations continued during the initial phase, all port activities have remained fully suspended since Tuesday. Container transportation between Chattogram Port, ICDs and factories has also been halted.

Industry insiders warned that the disruption is already affecting factory production due to shortages of imported raw materials. Export consignments are expected to miss mother vessels at transshipment hubs such as Singapore, Malaysia and Colombo, delaying deliveries to overseas buyers.

Imports of essential commodities—including rice, wheat, dates and fruits—have also been hit, as containerised cargo cannot be moved to importers’ warehouses ahead of Ramadan, heightening fears of price increases.

Calling for an urgent resolution, stakeholders warned that the strike has effectively paralysed the country’s international trade.

Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Chattogram Port Berth Operators, Ship Handling Operators and Terminal Operators Owners Association, said seven vessels—four container ships and three general cargo vessels—have remained idle at the General Cargo Berth since Tuesday.

“No vessel is entering or leaving the port as loading, unloading and container transportation have been completely suspended,” he said, adding that feeder vessels are missing mother vessels, disrupting the export chain. He also warned of possible difficulties in paying workers’ wages and Eid bonuses if the situation persists.

Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), said container movement between the port and ICDs has fully stopped, leading to congestion at ICDs.

He said 10,817 TEUs of export containers, 7,945 TEUs of import containers and 51,976 TEUs of empty containers are currently lying at 21 ICDs in Chattogram. While the total storage capacity of 106,000 TEUs is not yet under strain, he cautioned that export cargo is likely to miss scheduled sailings.

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Director (Administration) and spokesperson Md Omar Faruk said no work took place inside the port on Wednesday, despite typically reduced operations during holidays.

Port sources said the number of containers at port yards rose to 37,312 TEUs on Wednesday from 32,873 on Sunday.

BGMEA Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury said garment factories are already facing production disruptions due to shortages of raw materials. “Failure to produce and ship goods on time could result in irreparable losses,” he said.

Hymayun Kabir, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad, said the strike was being observed spontaneously and would continue until demands are met, alleging that the government had not initiated dialogue as of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA and the Chattogram Customs Agents Association were holding talks with strike leaders at a city hotel on Wednesday evening.

The agitation was initially announced by Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal as a two-day programme before being extended. The Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) and the Communist Party of Bangladesh have also expressed solidarity with the strike.