Operations at Chattogram Port came to a standstill on Wednesday as workers and employees began a 24-hour strike in protest against the government’s decision to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal to UAE-based global operator DP World.
The work stoppage, which started in the morning, marks an escalation of protests that had been limited to partial strikes over the past three days. Demonstrators said the tougher action was taken after their demands went unaddressed.
Port officials confirmed that cargo handling at the General Cargo Berth, the port’s oldest terminal, was suspended shortly after 8:00am.
Operations at the Chittagong Container Terminal and the New Mooring Container Terminal, operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, continued briefly before being fully halted around 9:45am as the strike gathered momentum.
The movement of imported cargo and containers from port yards was completely stopped, further disrupting supply chains, according to port sources. Transport of import, export, and empty containers between the port and 19 privately operated inland container depots also remained suspended.
Md Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, said participation in the strike was increasing steadily as more workers joined the protest. He added that employees responsible for running the port’s computerised Terminal Operating System, which controls container movements, also walked out, bringing logistical operations to a halt.
The strike has raised concerns among exporters, importers, and shipping agents, who fear significant delays and mounting losses if the impasse continues.
