Chattogram Port at complete standstill for two days

Chattogram Port has come to a standstill in the last two days as workers and employees went on an indefinite work abstention over the government’s move to lease the key New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World.

If the stalemate continues for long, commodity prices are likely to spike ahead of Ramadan and export deadlines will be missed, said sources.

The indefinite strike comes after the protesters observed an eight-hour strike from Saturday to Monday.

The strike took a stricter turn on Wednesday, leaving the port’s jetties and yards deserted, with no movement of people or vehicles and all sheds and offices remaining closed.

The usual long queues of cargo-carrying vehicles in and around all the port gates were absent. Both sides of the gates remained closed.

Container handling at the port’s main jetties has remained completely stopped since Tuesday morning, leaving 11 vessels, including eight container ships, stranded.

No vessel could leave the port’s main jetties or take berths in the last two days. Only four vessels could leave RSGT Chittagong, KAFCO jetty and two dolphin jetties under special arrangements.

Global leading shipping line Maersk issued a customer advisory on Wednesday, updating on the evolving situation at the port.

“As the strike continues, it is creating significant operational uncertainty and may lead to delays in vessel schedules, cargo handling, inland movements, and related services,” it said.

No import, export, or empty containers could be transported between the port and the 19 private inland container depots since Tuesday morning, said Md Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association.

The deadlock has left exporters fretting if they would be able to maintain the schedule for the peak shipment season.

“We need an immediate solution... ,” said Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Faruque Hassan, the former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, echoed the same.

His company, Giant Group, has a consignment of 100 tonnes of yarn imported from China and India stuck at the port. The delay means he might miss his production and shipment deadlines.

“Such a situation will have a negative impact on overall export earnings,” said Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, another garment exporter.

Asked what the government is doing to solve the stalemate, Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said he is planning to visit the port today to talk to the protesters.

He said he would ask them why they are continuing with the movement by keeping the people hostage before any deal is signed. If they do not listen, the government will take other actions.

He said that he gave his opinion that the port’s interest should be ensured based on its average current income and not a single person would lose their job.