All operations at Chattogram port remain suspended as the indefinite work abstention by workers and employees, enforced on Tuesday, continues, with the shipping adviser set to hold talks today.

The strike followed an eight-hour work stoppage observed from Saturday to Monday by workers and employees protesting the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World.

Container and cargo handling at the port’s jetties, delivery from the yards, and vessel movements remained at a complete standstill.

Sources at the port said the strike became stricter this morning as protesters took positions at different entry gates, barring officials and employees of various departments—including traffic, electrical and mechanical—from entering the port, except for security personnel.

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain is scheduled to visit the port today and hold an emergency meeting with senior officials and department heads of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) at the CPA conference room in the morning. 

A letter to this effect was issued by the CPA secretary last evening, requesting the managing director of Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), which currently operates the NCT, to ensure that one or two workers’ representatives from the terminal attend the meeting.

Officials from various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Coast Guard, have also been asked to attend.

The adviser confirmed to The Daily Star last night that he would visit the port today and hold talks with the protesters.