Chattogram Port committee rejects minister’s ‘stagnant management’ claim

Highlights:

• Local workforce credited for continued port operations
• Group opposes long-term foreign terminal leases Independent assessment of port performance demanded
• Sit-in announced against proposed terminal leasing
  

  ---

The Chattogram Port Protection Committee has rejected Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam’s recent remarks that management of Chattogram Port had reached a state of stagnation, calling the claim unrealistic and misleading.

In a statement issued today (25 September), committee Convener Engineer Delwar Majumdar and Member Secretary Fazlul Kabir Mintu said port operations had never been stagnant. They said local workers, employees, officials, engineers and other skilled professionals had kept the port operational while steadily improving its container and cargo-handling capacity.

The committee said port workers continued operations during adverse weather, maritime warnings and other difficult conditions, often taking risks to keep the port functioning.

“If the port has recorded continued growth in revenue and cargo handling, describing its operations as stagnant is inconsistent with reality,” the statement said.

The committee’s remarks came after the shipping minister said Chattogram Port’s management had been stagnant and that the government had opened the way for foreign companies to help address the situation.

He made the remarks on yesterday (24 September) while addressing an event marking World Maritime Day 2026 at the Bangladesh Marine Academy premises.

The committee said modernisation, technological development, improved efficiency and capacity expansion were necessary for the port. However, it said the need for development could not by itself justify handing over profitable and strategically important container terminals to foreign companies through long-term leases.

It said it did not oppose foreign technology, technical expertise or management support where necessary.

“Taking technology and expertise as needed is one thing. Handing over long-term strategic control of the country’s most important port infrastructure to a foreign company is an entirely different matter,” the statement said.

The committee called for a public assessment of the potential impact of any such decision on the national economy, security, workers’ interests, government revenue and long-term state interests.

It also expressed concern over initiatives involving long-term leases of key facilities, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT).

The committee said decisions taken by previous governments, as well as subsequent initiatives concerning the terminals, should not be treated as being above public and national interests.

It urged the government not to lease any major and profitable container terminal at Chattogram Port to a foreign company on a long-term basis.

The committee also called for a transparent and independent assessment of the port’s actual capacity, revenue, cargo and container handling, as well as the performance of its domestic management.

“We want modernisation, technological development and increased capacity, but not at the cost of national interests and state control,” the statement said. “The development of Chattogram Port must involve its workers, employees, officials, engineers and skilled local workforce.”

The committee said it would continue its campaign against the proposed long-term leasing of key profitable port facilities to foreign companies.

As part of its programme, it announced a daylong sit-in in front of the Chattogram Port Bhaban on 5 October to press its demands.