The Chittagong Port Authority has warned of strict legal action against employees who oppose a recent High Court ruling allowing the appointment of a foreign operator at the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The warning was issued on Friday through an office order signed by Director (Administration) Omar Faruk, following reports that some port officials and workers had staged demonstrations and made negative comments against the court’s decision.

According to the authority, the High Court delivered its verdict on January 29, confirming that there is no legal barrier to appointing a foreign operator for the NCT project. In response, several workers and employees organized protest marches and group gatherings in various areas of the port, which the authority described as a direct violation of service regulations. Officials stated that previous warnings had been issued, and this latest notice serves as a final caution.

The dispute over the appointment of a foreign operator has caused months of tension within and outside the port. Following the court’s decision, labor groups including the Nationalist Workers Party and the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP) announced plans to halt all operational activities at the port on Saturday and Sunday.