Workers and employees at Chattogram Port on Monday announced a 24-hour work abstention on Tuesday, escalating a standoff with authorities over plans to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World.

The announcement was made by Md Humayun Kabir, coordinator of the Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parisad, as port operations remained partially paralysed for a third straight day due to repeated eight-hour work stoppages.

Cargo handling at Chattogram Port, which accounts for more than 90% of Bangladesh’s seaborne trade, has been severely disrupted, with loading and unloading of goods from ships coming to a halt.

Read More: Strike at Chattogram port enters 2nd day over NCT lease

Traders warned that continued interruptions could trigger mounting financial losses and ripple through national supply chains.

Port users said the rolling strikes over the past three days have significantly hampered operations and urged the authorities to resolve the dispute immediately to prevent longer-term damage to trade flows.

Tensions intensified further after at least 16 employees, including Humayun Kabir, were transferred to Pangaon and Kamalapur Inland Container Depots (ICDs) following the protests, according to workers.

Labour groups allege that despite NCT being a self-sufficient and profitable terminal built with the port’s own funds, the government is moving to hand over its operations to a foreign firm. Protesters have demanded that the decision be withdrawn.

Read More: Third shipment of US wheat arrives at Ctg port

The movement has drawn wider labour support, with the Sramik-Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) expressing solidarity.

Leaders and activists of SKOP staged a black-flag procession in the Agrabad area of the port city and demanded the removal of the port chairman and other senior officials concerned.

The Chattogram Port Authority has taken a hard line, issuing a notice warning of disciplinary action against anyone involved in strikes, protests or demonstrations linked to the NCT leasing issue.

Workers, however, began demonstrations on Saturday and continued the work stoppage despite the warning.

With the planned 24-hour abstention set to begin Tuesday, concerns are growing among the port users that prolonged disruption at the country’s busiest port could pose a serious risk to Bangladesh’s trade and logistics networks.

Read More: Ctg port operations stumble amid strike against NCT lease plan