The Chattogram Port unit of Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal and the Bondar Rokkha Sangram Parishad have demanded an immediate halt to the process of leasing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai‑based multinational DP World.
At a press conference at a restaurant in Agrabad on Saturday, the organisations announced a series of protest programmes—including two human chains and a torchlight procession—if their demands are not met within the next two days.
They warned that handing over NCT operations to a foreign operator could have long-term implications for Bangladesh’s economy, employment and national security.
Ibrahim Khokon, a coordinator of the Bondar Rokkha Shongram Porishad, read a written statement at the press conference, while another coordinator, Humayun Kabir, announced the protest programmes.
The organisations’ four-point demands include stopping all ongoing activities to lease the NCT to DP World; withdrawing cases filed against 15 employees, including port leaders, over previous protests; removing officials involved in the process of negotiating the NCT operations agreement with DP World; and resuming the stalled recruitment process to fill vacant positions at the port.
They also called for revitalising port operations, abandoning the privatisation process and upgrading Chattogram Port into a modern, world-class port.
According to the announcement, the first human chain will be held from Chattogram Bishwa Road to One Stop around 3pm on Tuesday (22 September).
A second human chain will be organised from Fakirhat Gate No. 3 to One Stop around 3pm on 27 September.
The organisations will then hold a torchlight procession from Fakirhat Gate No. 3 to One Stop around 5pm on 30 September.
The speakers at the press conference said the process of handing over NCT operations to a foreign company was initiated by the then government in 2017. They alleged that efforts to advance the process continued during the interim government formed after 5 August 2024.
According to the organisers, protests by labour, professional, student and civic organisations subsequently forced the authorities to abandon the proposed agreement at that time.
Dispute over NCT equipment
The organisations also criticised recent remarks by the Chattogram Port chairman that NCT’s machinery had become outdated and that equipment availability had fallen below international standards. They further alleged that handing over NCT operations to DP World could increase Bangladesh’s dependence on a foreign entity in managing a critical part of the country’s supply chain.
They claimed that an analysis of internal port documents, crane procurement data and information from maritime logistics experts did not support the assertion that NCT’s machinery was unusable or obsolete.
However, they expressed concern that such dependence could create vulnerabilities during political or other crises and potentially allow external pressure to be exerted on the country’s trade and supply chains.
Revenue concerns
The speakers also claimed that 75 per cent of the workforce of the firm conducting a survey for DP World at Chattogram Port consists of Indian nationals. They said a list of employees had been attached to the press conference statement in support of the claim.
According to the organisations, NCT generated around Tk4,500 crore in revenue and approximately Tk2,500 crore in net income during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
They further claimed that the government received around Tk1,300 crore from the terminal’s income through corporate taxes and VAT.
They argued that leasing the terminal to a foreign company could reduce the government’s revenue from the facility and raise concerns over the possible outflow of capital. They also expressed concern that the proposed concession agreement could potentially allow hazardous goods to be handled at NCT.
They called on the government to reconsider the proposed lease and instead invest in the terminal’s infrastructure, equipment and human resources to improve its efficiency while keeping its operation under national control.
