Following a meeting with Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain, the strike at Chattogram Port, which was sparked by protests over the cancellation of the lease process for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based company DP World and the removal of the port chairman, has been postponed for two days.
The ‘Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council’ declared after today’s debate that the strike will be halted on Friday and Saturday, but they threatened to revert to their hard-line program if their demands were not fulfilled in the allotted period.
The Shipping Adviser, speaking after the meeting at the Chattogram Port Building, stressed that no one has the authority to halt port operations, especially ahead of Ramadan.
In order to increase the port’s capacity and bring it into compliance with international standards, he underlined the vital necessity of preserving port functionality for necessities like aviation fuel and the significance of foreign investment and agreements.
The advisor also threatened to take strong action against any disturbance or sabotage.
The demonstrators decided to temporarily halt their progress in light of the nation’s economic circumstances.
Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Port Protection Council, said that the strike will resume if their demands-including the removal of the port chairman and cancellation of the NCT lease-are not addressed within two days.
The strike, which began last Wednesday, had paralyzed operations at Chattogram Port, affecting about 91% of the nation’s exports. Ships remained stranded at the outer anchorage, goods were not unloaded, and container transport from 19 off-docks was halted.
Law enforcement authorities remain on alert as efforts continue to gradually restore normal port activities.
