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issued a customer advisory yesterday, updating on the evolving situation at the port.

“As the strike continues, it is creating significant operational uncertainty and may lead to delays in vessel schedules, cargo handling, inland movements, and related services,” it said.

No import, export, or empty containers could be transported between the port and the 19 private inland container depots since Tuesday morning, said Md Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association.

The deadlock has left exporters fretting if they would be able to maintain the schedule for the peak shipment season.

“We need an immediate solution... ,” said Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Faruque Hassan, the former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, echoed the same.

His company, Giant Group, has a consignment of 100 tonnes of yarn imported from China and India stuck at the port. The delay means he might miss his production and shipment deadlines.

“Such a situation will have a negative impact on overall export earnings,” said Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, another garment exporter.

Asked what the government is doing to solve the stalemate, Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said he is planning to visit the port today to talk to the protesters.

He said he would ask them why they are continuing with the movement by keeping the people hostage before any deal is signed. If they do not listen, the government will take other actions.

He said that he gave his opinion that the port’s interest should be ensured based on its average current income and not a single person would lose their job.

“I also said that instead of replacing workers, they should recruit more people, and that recruitment must be from within the country. No foreign workers should be brought in. They [DP World] know this and have agreed.”

Asked why the government is rushing to seal the deal with the election just a week away, he said, “It is not being done in a hasty manner as they are claiming. This is an old project. It started back in 2022. This did not suddenly come up now. Negotiations have been ongoing for the last three months. It was interrupted in the middle stage due to a case in the High Court.”

Otherwise, the deal would have been signed by now, he said, adding that the negotiations have not reached a final stage.

Asked about the protesters’ claim that the process cannot move forward until the new appeal is settled, he said, “Our state lawyer has said that the court did not make such an observation. He said the hearing will be held on Sunday and that is what I have been informed.”

The court’s directive during Sunday’s hearing will become effective, he said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court chamber judge has sent the petition that sought an order of status quo to the entire process of leasing out the NCT to DP World to the full bench for hearing on February 9.

On February 1, Bangladesh Jubo Arthanitibid Forum, a philanthropic organisation, filed the petition.