Work stoppage at Chattogram Port in protest against NCT leasing

Jan 31, 2026
Bangladesh

Image: Chattogram Port (Collected)

PNN News Desk, Chattogram

Operational activities at Chattogram Port have been severely disrupted due to a work stoppage by workers protesting the government’s decision to lease the New Muring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company.

From 8 a.m. Saturday, loading and unloading of containers and goods at various jetties and terminals have almost completely stopped. The Chattogram Port Nationalist Workers’ Party announced the protest on Friday, stating that operations would remain halted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. A similar suspension has also been announced for Sunday.

Following the start of the strike, major terminals including General Cargo Berth (GCB), Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT), and New Muring Container Terminal (NCT) saw operations come to a near halt. Limited handling of export containers from private depots at NCT continued.

Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the port operators’ associations, said attempts to operate GCB terminal were unsuccessful due to workers and machinery operators not reporting for duty. Ibrahim Khokon, general secretary of the Chattogram Port Nationalist Workers’ Party, said workers participated voluntarily in protest. The strike will continue until 4 p.m. Saturday.