Bangladesh’s garment exporters have urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to ensure 24/7 customs and port operations at Chattogram Port and to waive demurrage charges in order to ease severe congestion caused by the recent shutdown of the country’s main seaport.
In a letter sent to the NBR chairman on 5 February, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said import and export activities at Chattogram Port have remained largely suspended since 31 January due to repeated work stoppages by port workers and employees.
The disruption stemmed from protests against the government’s plan to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based logistics firm DP World, which led to successive shutdown programs and halted normal port operations. As a result, container handling and cargo clearance were severely affected, creating a growing backlog at the port.
BGMEA noted that the ready-made garment sector is highly time-sensitive, with strict lead times imposed by international buyers. Any delay in shipment, the association warned, exposes exporters to immediate financial losses and heightens the risk of order cancellations and loss of buyer confidence.
According to the association, the prolonged disruption has already forced many garment factories to suspend or scale back production due to shortages of imported raw materials. At the same time, finished export consignments are piling up at the port, putting pressure on exporters struggling to meet delivery schedules.
To restore normalcy, BGMEA requested that all port and customs-related services operate on a 24/7 basis until the congestion is fully cleared. The association said extended operating hours would help speed up cargo clearance and ensure faster delivery of both imported inputs and export shipments.
The exporters also called for a waiver of demurrage charges on imported goods delivered after 30 January, arguing that importers were unable to clear consignments on time due to circumstances beyond their control.
“Imposing demurrage under the current situation would be unjustified,” the BGMEA said, adding that such charges would further burden businesses already suffering from production losses and shipment delays.
The association stressed that uninterrupted port and customs services, along with relief from demurrage costs, are crucial to safeguarding Bangladesh’s export credibility and maintaining the global competitiveness of its flagship garment sector.
