Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry has suffered significant losses due to a six-day strike by workers and employees at Chattogram Port, which halted loading and unloading operations. Around 13,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of export goods remain stuck in 19 private depots, 80 percent of which belong to the garment sector.
Port operations resumed Thursday afternoon after the strike was suspended, but exporters warn it will take time to recover. Delays have already caused financial losses and risk damaging the industry’s reputation with international buyers. Exporters are rushing to load the stuck containers, while new shipments continue to arrive, creating a backlog that may take several more days to clear.
Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, former first vice president of BGMEA, said the financial impact of the port halt is currently immeasurable, but the reputational damage is clear. “Foreign buyers are turning away. They do not want to place orders. This is a long-term loss for the country,” he said.
Mahfuzul Haque Shah, former director of Chattogram Chamber, said missing shipping deadlines risks eroding buyer confidence. “Once the lead time is missed, buyers lose interest, and garment owners face huge losses. This strike has tarnished the country’s reputation abroad,” he noted.
Chattogram Port Director (Administration) Md. Omar Faruk said operations are returning to normal. “Shipping, loading-unloading, and product delivery are becoming normal. Twenty-five mother vessels have moved; 2,247 TEUs have been delivered, and another 2,826 TEUs are expected. The yard currently holds 36,708 TEUs against a capacity of 59,000,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chattogram Port Authority has requested a travel ban on 15 employees involved in the strike, who were transferred to Mongla and Payra ports after protesting the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. The port authority has also asked the Ministry of Shipping, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the National Security Intelligence Service to investigate their assets and take necessary measures. Among them are Md. Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council, and Md. Ibrahim Khokon, coordinator of the Port Nationalist Workers' Party.
Workers had staged strikes for three days, eight hours each, since last Saturday, and continued for three consecutive days from Tuesday, protesting the NCT leasing process. The standstill paralyzed port operations, severely affecting exports and the garment industry.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
