Goods worth Tk80 billion stuck at Chattogram Port

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham Bangladesh) has once again expressed deep concern over the ongoing paralysis at Chattogram Port, warning that the situation is causing mounting economic losses and putting export operations at serious risk. It has also cautioned that global confidence in Bangladesh’s supply chain is being eroded.

Due to a recent work stoppage, port operations have almost come to a complete standstill, creating uncertainty in the movement of goods and containers.

According to EuroCham, around 13,000 containers carrying goods worth an estimated $660 million (approximately Tk80 billion) are currently stranded at the port. As a result, export schedules are collapsing, timely delivery of goods has become difficult, and logistics costs are rising sharply.

In this context, EuroCham has urged the authorities to urgently restore normal port operations. It has called for swift resolution of the ongoing dispute in the national economic interest, while also stressing the need for port modernisation to enhance efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.

The current deadlock at Chattogram Port stems primarily from a work stoppage by a protest committee opposing the decision to lease port operations to DP World.

Chattogram Port handles more than 90 percent of Bangladesh’s international trade and serves as the main gateway for export-oriented industries. Under normal conditions, between 2,000 and 2,500 export containers are handled at the port every day.