Allegations of regulatory violations and the bypassing of licensed ship-handling operators have triggered controversy over coal unloading operations at the dedicated jetties of 1,200MW Matarbari Ultra-Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant in Cox’s Bazar.
The Bangladesh Ship Handling and Berth Operators Association (BSBOA) and the Chattogram Dock Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal have separately submitted complaints to the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), alleging that an external contractor has been engaged to handle imported coal, bypassing 27 licensed ship-handling firms registered with the port authority.
The complaints have raised questions over the applicability of port regulations to cargo-handling operations at the power plant’s dedicated jetties, as well as the potential impact on licensed operators and local dockworkers.
The BSBOA had earlier written to the CPA’s director (Traffic) on 31 August seeking intervention over the alleged irregularities, while the Chattogram Dock Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal submitted its complaint to the CPA chairman on 8 October.
In its letter and subsequent statements, the BSBOA argued that cargo loading and unloading at locations under the CPA’s jurisdiction, other than the Main Jetty, Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), must be carried out by port-listed and authorised ship-handling operators.
The association cited locations including river moorings, specialised jetties, outer anchorages, Kutubdia and Matarbari, arguing that the engagement of an outside contractor for coal unloading disregards established port regulations.
According to the association, licensed operators had handled the unloading of heavy machinery and other imported equipment from the early stages of the Matarbari project, including during jetty construction, before coal unloading operations began.
The operators contend that cargo handling, stevedoring and vessel-related activities within the port’s jurisdiction fall under the administrative and regulatory authority of the CPA, citing the Chattogram Port Authority Act, 2022, and the Regulations for Working of Chattogram Port (Cargo and Container), 2001, to support their position.
Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, chairman of the ship-handling operators’ association, told TIMES that the 27 licensed firms were facing substantial financial losses because the work was allegedly being assigned to an unauthorised operator in violation of established policies.
In its letter to CPA chairman, Chattogram Dock Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal noted that bypassing established operators and local workers had generated widespread resentment among the workforce, warning that the situation could deteriorate and lead to a work stoppage at the port unless the disputed contract is cancelled immediately.
When asked about the allegations, Syed Refayet Hamim, spokesperson and secretary of t CPA, told TIMES, “We have informed the concerned shipping agent about the allegations, and the relevant processes and activities are currently underway.”
However, the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL), which operates the Matarbari power plant, has defended the appointment of the contractor, stating that the work was awarded through an open tender process.
CPGCBL Managing Director Md Nazmul Haque told TIMES that coal unloading at the facility required specialised expertise and could not be treated as routine cargo handling.
“This is a highly sophisticated and complex task; it is not a routine job like unloading rice or lentils that can be handed over to just anyone. An operator must be highly skilled and experienced to work on this project,” he said.
Haque identified MA Hashem & Sons as the contractor currently performing the work, stating that the firm had been carrying out the operation for nearly two years after securing the contract through the Open Tender Method (OTM).
He explained that equipment-handling work had previously been managed by the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor during the project’s earlier phase, and the subsequent appointment of the current operator was made in accordance with the applicable procurement process.
The managing director also said that the power company had no complaints or dissatisfaction regarding the contractor’s performance.
When contacted, Md. Zulfikar Ali, owner of MA Hashem & Sons, said Chattogram Port Authority had not issued any letter to his company regarding the allegations.
The 1,200MW Matarbari Ultra-Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project is operated by CPGCBL. Initially approved in 2014 at an estimated cost of Tk35,984 crore, the project’s cost was subsequently revised to Tk51,855 crore. The plant features two dedicated jetties for unloading imported coal.
