Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored.
The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate.
The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.
নদীপথে পণ্য বহনকারী লাইটার কার্গো জাহাজ এখনো নিয়ন্ত্রণ করছে আওয়ামী রাঘব বোয়ালদের সিন্ডিকেট। আওয়ামী লীগের সাধারণ সম্পাদক ওবায়দুল কাদের, সালমান এফ রহমান, সাবেক মেয়র আ জ ম নাছির, সাবেক পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী হাসান মাহমুদ ও তার ভাই খালেদ মাহমুদ, ঢাকার সা
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