Operations at Chattogram port have yet to reach full swing despite the suspension of recent protests centring a potential lease agreement with DP World, a multinational logistics company of Dubai.
Import-export through the port faced repeated disruptions since 31 January, as workers called strikes to prevent the deal that would see DP World assume control of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) for 30 years.
The protests were then eventually suspended to observe a four-day general holiday, starting on 11 February, to facilitate voting in the just concluded national elections.
As such, the Bondar Rokkha Shongram Porishad had halted its campaign against the NCT deal from 9 to 15 February.
However, the following holiday hindered import-export activities even though the port authorities were told to maintain operations under special arrangement.
Key issues included the near halt of container deliveries, as most transport workers opted to return home for the holiday.
Besides, the ensuing vehicle shortage led to a sharp climb in transport fees, as owners increased the charges at their own discretion, according to businesspeople.
Echoing the same, port officials said they hope full operations will resume from 15 February.
Meanwhile, officials of several terminal and berth operators informed that cargo handling at the port and its outer anchorage remained largely functional amid the election.
During regular operations, more than 4,000 containers are delivered daily, but only 72 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were delivered on February 13 and 1,308 TEUs on February 14, far below normal volumes.
As of February 14, the yard held 41,551 TEUs, while 122 vessels were present at the port.
Sixteen ships were berthed at the main jetty and 15 container vessels were waiting at the outer anchorage, compared with the usual one or two, port authorities said, attributing the congestion to the prolonged strike.
Despite suspending the programme during the election period, the Bondar Rokkha Shongram Porishad said it would announce its next course of action at a press conference on February 16.
Coordinator Humayun Kabir said the strike had been temporarily withdrawn in consideration of the national elections but the demands remained unchanged.
He reiterated calls for removal of Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, withdrawal of disciplinary action against 15 officials and employees involved in the movement, and cancellation of the New Mooring Container Terminal agreement with DP World.
Kabir said most leaders of the movement were affiliated with labour organisations allied with BNP and expressed hope the incoming administration would address the issue.
Coordinator Ibrahim Khokon said other grievances remained unresolved and called for immediate withdrawal of punitive measures, including arrests, cancellation of housing allocations and suspensions, warning of stricter action if no steps were taken.
The Porishad will meet within the next few days to assess the situation before finalising its next steps, he added.
Business leaders urged restraint, warning of economic consequences if disruptions continued.
Former president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries Amir Humayun Chowdhury said no shutdown should be enforced while port operations were already affected and called for dialogue.
Seacom Group Chairman Mohammad Amirul Haque urged all sides to wait for the incoming administration before launching further action.
Former director of the Chittagong Chamber Mahfuzul Haque Shah called for a negotiated settlement of the terminal dispute and restraint from both sides.
The agitation began with an eight-hour daily strike for three days from January 31 and later escalated into a continuous programme.
After a meeting with the shipping adviser, the programme was suspended for two days but resumed amid allegations that authorities were restricting movement leaders from leaving the country and investigating their assets.
The continuous programme was withdrawn for seven days from February 9 to February 15 due to the national elections.
Md Omar Faruk, director (administration) and spokesperson of the Chattogram Port Authority, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
