Photo: Collected

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Operational activities at Chattogram seaport 
have resumed following postponement of strike for indefinite period called by 
labor and employees leaders protesting lease out the New Mooring Container 
Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator.
 
Mohammad Omar Faruk, director (Admin) of Chattogram Port Authority, told BSS 
that all sorts of operational activities related to the export-import trade 
at port jetties, container terminals and outer anchorages were resumed at 8am 
Monday.
 
Chattogram Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad (Chattogram Port Protection 
Movement Council) moved the work abstention programme for two phases in last 
8 days that led to stoppage of all types of operational activities at the 
country's prime seaport that handled annually 90 percent of export-import 
cargoes. 

A press release of the Chattogram Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad, signed by 
its Coordinator-- Md Humayun Kabir and Md Ibrahim Khokan-- confirmed the 
suspension of their protest programme on ground of upcoming 13th 
parliamentary election and pave the ways for delivering inbound cargoes ahead 
of holy month of Ramadan. 

Delay in signing lease agreement on NCT operation with DP World, a Dubai-
based globally reputed port operator, and successful discussion between CPA 
Chairman Rear Admiral Sayed Mohammad Moniruzzaman and trade union leaders 
prompted the protesters to suspend their strike programme. 

The Sangram Parishad leaders announced that their strike programme will 
remain suspended from February 9 to February 15 and they will declare a fresh 
agitation programme if five-point demands are not met.
 
The five-point demands included release of five arrested workers and 
withdrawal of cases against them, withdrawal of transfer orders of 15 workers 
and employees to different port installations outside Chattogram, scrap the 
decision to cancel the allocation of houses to some employees and termination 
order of 16 workers and employees.
 
Sangram Parishad leaders termed the recent CPA decisions against workers and 
employees, who participated in the agitation programme as part of harassment, 
to foil their agitation programme.