United News of Bangladesh

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday said the government will take a hard line to end the ongoing strike at Chattogram Port. “The ongoing strike at Chattogram Port cannot be allowed to continue,” the adviser told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat. An indefinite strike by Chattogram port workers resumed at 8am on Sunday in protest against the plan to lease the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign company and to press four other demands. Sakhawat Hossain said a handful of people are trying to hold the entire port hostage at a time when Ramadan is approaching. “Chickpeas, lentils and edible oil are lying idle at the outer anchorage. They have taken 18 crore people hostage. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he added. He said several people have already been arrested and the rest will also be brought to book.  

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port blocked the convoy of Shipping Adviser (retd) Brigadier General M Sakhawat Hossain on Thursday when he reached there to assess the situation amid an ongoing strike. The strike continued for the 5th consecutive day on Thursday protesting the plans to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to global port operator DP World. As his convoy arrived in front of the port building around 10:45 am, hundreds of workers and employees surrounded the vehicles, chanted slogans and obstructed their movement. After about 15 minutes, police and port security personnel escorted the convoy into the port premises. The Shipping Adviser later entered the port building amid continued slogan by the protesters and was quickly taken to an upper floor by lift. Strike brings Chattogram Port to a standstill The indefinite strike enforced by the Chattogram Port Protection Movement Council, has brought all operational activities at the port to a halt. Container handling at all jetties, including General Cargo Berth (GCB), Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) remains suspended. Cargo-laden vessels are stranded at both the outer anchorage and jetties while cargo delivery from yards and the movement of goods-carrying vehicles in and out of the port have also remained stopped. The Shipping Adviser flew from Dhaka to Shah Amanat International Airport on Thursday morning and went straight to the port. Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Moniruzzaman was accompanying him. Port sources said after entering the port building, the Shipping Adviser sat in an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing strike and the overall deadlock situation with the stakeholders. The workers began the indefinite strike on Wednesday demanding the cancellation of the process to lease out the New Mooring Container Terminal to foreign firm DP World and the withdrawal of alleged harassment and transfer orders against protesting workers. Chattogram Port workers plan 24-hour walkout as NCT leasing dispute deepens Earlier, following a three-day strike, the Ministry of Shipping issued transfer orders for at least 15 port officials to Mongla and Payra ports. In protest, the movement council first announced a 24-hour work stoppage and later intensified it into an indefinite strike.

The government will not take any decision that goes against the national interest in managing the country’s ports, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain said on Monday. “The ministry supports whatever is good and beneficial for the port and the country,” he said while speaking to journalists during a discussion at the Ministry of Shipping in the afternoon. Referring to the ongoing situation at Chittagong Port, the adviser said those involved in creating the situation are being investigated. “Due to the current situation, port activities have been disrupted, and the Chittagong Port Authority is working to resolve the issue,” he said. Calling on all concerned to keep the port operational in the greater national interest, he said the people of the country are suffering because of the disruptions. Hadi’s killers will be tracked down even if they flee abroad: Shipping Adviser He reiterated that the current government would not implement any decision that goes against the country’s interests and described the situation as undesirable. Sakhawat also alleged that some traders are hoarding goods in lighter vessels ahead of Ramadan in an attempt to raise prices. He said mobile courts are being conducted daily by all relevant agencies, including the Department of Shipping, to curb such illegal activities. “Strict legal action will continue to be taken against those responsible based on evidence,” he added.

The government is committed to taking stringent legal action against those responsible for the recent attacks, vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain. He came up with the warning while visiting the offices of the newspapers at Kawran Bazar of the capital on Sunday. Expressing sorrow over the violent attacks on the media houses, the adviser said, “Differences of opinion are part of democracy, but violence and attacks are absolutely unacceptable. This is a very unfortunate incident.” He emphasised that the media is the eyes of the government. Both the government and media must work together for nation-building. One more arrested over attack on Daily Star office The adviser lauded the courage and professionalism of the newspapers’ staff, noting that publishing the papers within a day of such a major incident reflected remarkable resilience. Expressing solidarity with the affected journalists, he said the media would rise again, and media freedom would be maintained. Prothom Alo, Daily Star attackers to be brought to book: Press Secretary The Daily Star Advisory Editor Kamal Ahmed, Prothom Alo Executive Editor Sajjad Sharif, and other senior officials and journalists, were present there. Angry protesters set fire to the offices of the country’s two leading newspapers on December 19, trapping staff, following the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died in a Singapore hospital.  

Like the previous Eid, holidaymakers are unlikely to face any trouble while travelling via waterways this time as well, said Shipping, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Shakhawat Hossain on Saturday. "Our government has improved the communication network in the southern region. During the last Eid, there were no problems with the waterways last Eid, and there won't be any this time either," he told journalists while visiting the Ilisha ferry terminal in Bhola during a two-day visit. Responding to a query about launching government-run ferry services on the Bhola-Dhaka route, Shakhawat said, “There is currently a shortage of ferries. Some are outdated, while others are still operating on the Aricha-Daulatdia route. If we had enough ferries, there would be no issue in deploying them.” He noted that government ferries are currently serving several locations facing transport difficulties. “We’ve deployed ferries in Maheshkhali and Sandwip and now Kutubdia has also requested one.” Munshiganj contingent of Advisory Council joins district-level consultation on LDC graduation The adviser said that some new ferries are expected to arrive later this year, and “we’ll be able to distribute them across different locations accordingly.” Bhola Deputy Commissioner Md Azad Jahangir and Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Md Sohan Sarkar, along with other senior officials, were present during the visit.

Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain has said the government is considering setting up a land port at Ghumdhum in Teknaf, keeping in mind the neighbouring Rakhine State of Myanmar. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the car and customs auction shed at Chattogram Port on Thursday, the shipping adviser said that despite the evolving situation in Myanmar, maintaining connectivity with the Rakhine State remains a priority for Bangladesh. Mongla Port will be developed as a center for regional trade: M. Sakhawat Hossain "The government is planning to set up a land port at Ghumdhum in Teknaf, considering Rakhine's strategic importance. Additionally, we are assessing whether Teknaf Land Port can be converted into a naval port," he said. He said the need for legal reforms to expedite the auctioning process of long-stalled goods at the Chattogram port was crucial, noting that bureaucratic complexities were hindering smooth operations. The government was evaluating the performance of several land ports, some of which were not generating revenue. "We are exploring the possibility of shutting down non-profitable land ports," he added. During his visit, a section of port workers, including members of the Nationalist Labour Party, protested against the proposed privatisation of the New Mooring Container Terminal and Patenga Container Terminal. In response, the shipping adviser assured that no agreements would be made that could harm national interests. Beximco’s closed factory won’t reopen: Adviser Sakhawat Earlier in the day, the shipping adviser visited Chattogram Port's Car Shed and Customs Auction Shed to inspect auctionable vehicles and goods. He instructed authorities to promptly remove auctionable items to free up port space and improve operational efficiency.

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Monday issued a stark warning, stressing the immediate necessity to rid the country’s rivers of pollution and illegal encroachment. “Bangladesh is a riverine country where people directly or indirectly rely on rivers. But in the name of development, rivers, canals, and wetlands have been encroached upon and polluted. To save our rivers, we must tackle these issues immediately,” he said while addressing a seminar at the Water Development Board in the capital. The Ministry of Water Resources hosted the event with a focus on determining the number of rivers in Bangladesh. Dr Hossain called for a coordinated approach among relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to protect rivers. He highlighted the urgent need to clean up the Buriganga River during this winter season. “The Ministry of Shipping will provide the necessary manpower and equipment for this initiative. All illegal structures along riverbanks must be demolished. Local administrations must play a more active role in protecting rivers, canals, and wetlands from pollution and encroachment,” he stressed. Master plan for Matarbari deep-sea port being revised to meet global standards: Shipping Adviser He said that the recurring issue of re-encroachment after eviction drives and pointed out the critical need to curb illegal sand extraction from rivers. The adviser also urged authorities to ensure proper maintenance of urban drainage systems, many of which have been blocked or rendered ineffective. Discussing the loss of navigability in major rivers, including the Buriganga, Dr Hossain advocated for planned dredging. “Restoring the navigability of our rivers through dredging is a pressing necessity. Without this, our rivers will lose their historical and economic significance,” he added. He lamented the pollution and encroachment of northern rivers and criticised the filling of canals to construct drains. He also called for a clear distinction between rivers and canals to better protect and manage water bodies. The seminar, chaired by Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources Nazmul Ahsan, was addressed by Advisor to the Ministry of Environment Syeda Rizwana Hasan. The participants included senior officials from the Water Development Board, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners, with many joining it virtually.

The master plan for Matarbari, Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port, is being restructured to address evolving regional and global dynamics, Brigadier General (retd) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, said today. He shared this information after a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, at the Ministry of Shipping. The adviser explained that the revised master plan aims to ensure the deep-sea port’s comprehensive security and operational readiness, adapting to the changing global trade environment. The updated strategy also includes plans to construct an international-standard dockyard at the site, further enhancing the port’s logistical and operational capabilities. He added that after completing the first phase of construction, a dedicated authority will be formed to oversee the port’s activities and streamline its management. Highlighting its strategic importance, the adviser expressed optimism that the port’s operations could commence by 2030, significantly boosting Bangladesh’s connectivity and trade prospects. Matarbari Power Plant not getting payment against power supply to national grid Dr. Sakhawat also informed that the government is working on a National Port Strategy to improve coordination and efficiency across the country’s ports. He sought JICA’s continued technical support for the development and implementation of these plans. Ambassador Iwama said that Japan is committed to supporting the Matarbari Deep-Sea Port project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He expressed confidence that the project would be completed on schedule with collective efforts. Additionally, Dr. Sakhawat briefed the ambassador on the formation of a high-level committee to evaluate environmental standards in Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry. The committee will conduct field inspections and submit recommendations to the government. He also requested Japan’s professional and technical support for the development of marine academies in Bangladesh. The ambassador also expressed interest in collaborating on Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry. Senior officials from the Japanese Embassy and the Ministry of Shipping were present during the meeting.