Chittagong Port in Turmoil, Call to Cancel NCT Lease

Chittagong Port has remained in turmoil for the second consecutive day as workers protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator. The protest, called by the Port Nationalist Workers’ Party, effectively paralyzed both operational and administrative activities at the port on Sunday, 1 February, the final day of a two-day strike.

From 8:00 a.m., the strike brought container loading and unloading operations at the jetty to a halt, raising concerns over significant disruption to the country’s key import-export hub. Ships waiting at the berths have been left idle, threatening delays in cargo handling that could ripple across supply chains nationwide.

The government recently decided to award the lease of NCT to DP World, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. This decision has sparked tension at Chittagong Port for several days. The High Court, on Thursday, dismissed a writ petition challenging the contract process between the port authority and the foreign operator, effectively validating the lease agreement. News of this ruling fuelled unrest among port workers.

During office hours on Thursday, protesters staged marches inside the port premises. Following this, the workers’ party called for eight-hour strikes on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. The port authority issued a notice warning that disciplinary measures would be taken against any employees participating in marches or protests during office hours.

In response to escalating tensions, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued a public order on Saturday at 11:30 p.m., prohibiting rallies, assemblies, and the carrying of weapons in the port area. The ban, effective from 1 February to 2 March, is accompanied by heightened police and security deployment to prevent any untoward incidents.

Observations on the ground indicate that operations at the General Cargo Berth (GCB) have completely stopped. While nominal activity continues at NCT and the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), the main operational chain has been severely disrupted. Idle equipment operators and absent workers have contributed to growing congestion for ships awaiting unloading.

Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators, Shiphandling Operators and Terminal Operators Owners Association (BOTSOWA), said, “No work is happening at the GCB as workers and operators have not reported for duty. We are trying to restore normal operations.”

In a firm response to the unrest, the port authority has transferred four worker leaders—Ebrahim Khokon, Md. Humayun Kabir, Md. Anwarul Azim, and Md. Faridur Rahman—to the Inland Container Terminal (ICT) in Dhaka. The leaders have condemned this move as retaliatory.

Ebrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Nationalist Workers’ Party, stated, “Through a self-serving contract, the lucrative NCT terminal is being handed over to Dubai-based DP World. We demand the cancellation of this decision in the interest of the nation and the port. Today’s protest will continue until 4:00 p.m., and if our demands are not met, more stringent action will follow.”

Local business communities have warned that prolonged disruption at the port could damage supply chains, affect timely delivery of goods, and negatively impact both industrial production and the daily commodities market.