The indefinite work stoppage by dock workers over the leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port has brought Bangladesh’s import-export activities to a near standstill, plunging the country’s trade and business sectors into deep uncertainty.
Business leaders warn that the prolonged disruption could further worsen already declining export earnings, with fears growing over cancellation and diversion of ready-made garment (RMG) orders – the backbone of the national export economy. Entrepreneurs say continued paralysis at the port may force exporters to resort to costly air shipments, offer discounts to international buyers, or permanently lose orders to competing countries.
Exports worth $900 million a day at risk
Industry insiders estimate that Bangladesh exports garments worth at least $900 million every day, an amount now at risk due to the port shutdown. According to trade bodies, around 142 vessels are currently waiting at outer anchorage, unable to unload goods, resulting in mounting demurrage and logistics costs.
DCCI President Taskin Ahmed earlier told Jago News that shipment delays could lead to cancellation or transfer of purchase orders. “Some buyers have agreed to short-term deadline extensions, but in a prolonged crisis, they will source products from alternative countries,” he warned.
Garment sector fears order shifts, higher freight costs
The RMG sector, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s export earnings, appears most exposed to the crisis.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said exporters are facing multiple risks simultaneously. “If products cannot be shipped on time, buyers may ask us to send them by air or demand discounts. Air freight alone can consume nearly 60 per cent of export value,” he said.
He added that continued uncertainty at the port could prompt global buyers to shift future orders to other manufacturing hubs. “Once buyers lose confidence, it is extremely difficult to bring them back,” he cautioned.
BGMEA Acting President Selim Rahman said garment manufacturers are caught between dock workers and the government. “The workers’ core demands are with the government. Exporters should not be dragged into this crisis,” he said.
Bank liabilities, wages and domestic market at stake
Beyond exports, delayed shipments threaten financial stability across the sector. Exporters fear difficulties in submitting documents to banks, settling LCs and repaying loans, raising concerns over timely wage payments to workers.
“If shipments are delayed, we won’t be able to pay bank liabilities or workers’ salaries on time. That could create a serious labour crisis,” Mohammad Hatem warned.
Business leaders also fear serious repercussions for the Ramadan market. With essential commodities stuck at the port, prices of chickpeas, lentils and onions could surge sharply, affecting consumers nationwide.
Calls grow for swift resolution
Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel said shutting down port operations effectively brings the entire logistics system to a halt.
“Our infrastructure already lags behind global competitors. Any man-made disruption worsens that gap and damages our credibility in the international market,” he said.
While meetings are ongoing, business leaders agree the solution ultimately rests with the government. Many have urged authorities to resolve the crisis immediately – either through negotiation or interim measures – to protect exports, stabilise the domestic market and safeguard Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.
DCCI urges immediate action, warns of economic fallout
Amid the growing crisis, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Thursday urged the government to take immediate steps to restore normal operations at Chattogram Port, warning that the prolonged shutdown is severely disrupting trade and could have far-reaching consequences for the national economy.
Describing Chattogram Port as the lifeline of Bangladesh’s trade, the chamber said nearly 92 per cent of the country’s import-export activities are conducted through the port.
On average, around 260,000 TEUs are cleared each month – about 9,000 TEUs daily.
However, port operations have remained completely halted since February 4, 2026, leaving around 54,000 containers stranded, the DCCI said in a media release.
Due to delays in cargo clearance, businesses are incurring additional costs ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 per day, with the export sector bearing the brunt of the impact.
The chamber warned that if the deadlock continues, exporters could face cancellation of existing orders or diversion of purchase orders to competing countries. While some international buyers have temporarily agreed to extend shipment deadlines, they may shift sourcing elsewhere if the crisis persists.
With Ramadan just days away, the DCCI also expressed concern that prolonged delays in clearing imported goods could trigger price hikes in the domestic market, hurting consumers across all income groups. The chamber further cautioned that the unexpected disruption in cargo handling would raise operational costs across trade and investment activities, adding pressure on both businesses and consumers.
Calling for urgent government intervention, the DCCI urged authorities to resolve the issue swiftly through dialogue with all stakeholders involved in Chattogram Port operations. Emphasising the port’s critical role as the main driving force of the economy, it stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the business community, the Chattogram Port Authority and other relevant agencies to ensure uninterrupted operations.