United News of Bangladesh

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 percent of the country’s import-export activities are handled through the port, with an average clearance of around 260,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) per month, or about 9,000 TEUs daily. However, port operations have remained completely halted since February 4, 2026, leaving around 54,000 containers stranded so far, 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, it said, adding that the situation is having a particularly severe impact on the export sector. The chamber warned that if the deadlock continues, it could adversely affect the national economy, as exporters face the risk of order cancellations or diversion of purchase orders to competing countries. While some international buyers have temporarily agreed to extend shipment deadlines, they may seek alternative sourcing destinations if the crisis persists, the release said. With Ramadan just days away, the DCCI also expressed concern that prolonged delays in clearing imported goods could trigger price hikes in the local market, negatively affecting consumers across all income groups. The chamber further said the unexpected disruption in cargo handling is likely to push up operational costs across trade and investment activities, placing additional pressure on both businesses and consumers. Calling for urgent government intervention, the DCCI urged authorities to resolve the issue quickly through discussions with all stakeholders involved in Chattogram Port operations. Emphasising the port’s critical role as the main driving force of the country’s economy, the chamber stressed the need for coordinated efforts among the business community, the Chattogram Port Authority and other relevant stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted operations.