Port workers and other stakeholders began a mass hunger strike in Chattogram today (12 October), demanding cancellation of the proposed lease agreement for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and job security for port employees.
The hunger strike, organised by Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad and Chattogram Port Protection Community, began at 11am in front of the port's One Stop Service Building and is scheduled to continue until 4pm.
Leaders of Chattogram Bandar Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal also joined the programme.
Speaking at the protest, Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, questioned the government's decision to hand over NCT operations to Dubai-based port operator DP World under a non-disclosure agreement, saying the lack of transparency had left key questions unanswered.
"We do not know what arguments the government has considered in making this decision. This is a non-disclosure agreement, and the government has not explained how the proposed modernisation will be achieved," he said.
Khokon also questioned how transferring terminal operations to a foreign company would resolve broader bottlenecks in Bangladesh's trade and logistics system.
He said under-invoicing by importers, delays in customs clearance and difficulties obtaining regulatory approvals imposed significant costs on businesses. He also questioned what steps the government was taking to address these issues and ease road congestion around the port.
"If you want to develop the country's logistics sector, what are you doing about road congestion, customs clearance and other bottlenecks? We have not seen adequate steps to accelerate these processes," he said.
Khokon said the time required to handle containers at the port should not be confused with the time needed to clear imported goods through customs.
A vessel carrying 1,000 to 3,000 containers can have its cargo unloaded and new containers loaded within around 48 hours before leaving the port, he said.
However, the release of imported goods depends on customs clearance and other regulatory procedures, which the port authority cannot control independently.
He also pointed to Chattogram Port's dependence on tidal conditions, saying ships cannot enter or leave at any time of the day, regardless of operational capacity.
The port primarily serves Bangladesh's domestic import and export needs rather than functioning as a major transshipment hub, he said, arguing that the country's logistics constraints could not be resolved simply by changing the terminal operator.
"If businesses want to establish operations that require round-the-clock ship movements, they should consider locations along the Bay of Bengal where such operations can be developed," Khokon said.
He demanded that the government explain how handing NCT operations to DP World would improve the port's efficiency and benefit the national economy.
The government has argued that bringing in an international terminal operator would increase port capacity, attract foreign investment and improve operational efficiency. Under the proposed arrangement, DP World is expected to operate the terminal and invest in equipment and related facilities.
However, the proposal has faced opposition from port workers and other stakeholders, who have raised concerns over employment security, transparency and the implications of transferring terminal operations to a foreign company.
Khokon said "If the government does not listen to us through democratic means, we will take steps to make it listen to our demands."