Myanmar conflict brings Teknaf land port to standstill

Infographic: TBS

The conflict in Myanmar and the seizure of Bangladeshi importer's cargo vessels by the Arakan Army have led to a deadlock at the Teknaf land port in Cox's Bazar, reducing ship arrivals from over 20 a day to a mere one or two per week.

As a result, revenue earnings have dropped to almost zero. Customs officials, who used to collect more than Tk3 crore in revenue daily, are now twiddling their thumbs.

At the beginning of 2024, when clashes broke out between Myanmar's ruling junta and the rebel Arakan Army, import-export activities at the port began to decline gradually. The situation escalated when the Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw city located near the Bangladesh border, leading to the seizure of cargo vessels along the route. The Arakan Army took control of Maungdaw city in early December 2024.

While two of the three seized ships were released earlier, the last one was released today (1 February).

AHM Anwar Hossain, manager of United Land Port, which operates the Teknaf land port, told TBS that around 90 officials are currently working at the port. They include individuals handling cargo operations. Previously, the port used to generate daily earnings of Tk5-7 lakh from ship and cargo handling. However, the amount has now dropped to just Tk40,000-50,000.

He said that under normal circumstances, 15 to 20 cargo vessels, including trawlers and lighter ships, would arrive with goods. "However, this number has now dropped to just one or two per week. The last shipment arrived on 28 January, when a trawler carrying 671 sacks of black gram came from Myanmar to Teknaf," he added.

Anwar Hossain said the vessel seized by the Arakan Army on 16 January carried 30,000 sacks of goods. "Assuming each sack contains 50 kilograms, the total cargo amounts to 15,000 tonnes. This is one of the larger ships operating at this port."

Citing importers, the port official said the vessel was detained because its owner is a retired officer of Myanmar's military regime. "The ship was transporting goods from Maungdaw, which is now under the control of the Arakan Army. As a result, the Arakan Army has detained the vessel on the pretext of inspecting the cargo. It is reportedly checking each sack individually."

Earlier, on 20 January, two cargo vessels carrying goods from Yangon to the Teknaf land port were released after being seized by the Arakan Army. These ships, which had been detained on 16 January while en route to Teknaf, were carrying approximately 1,500 tonnes of goods.

Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, General Secretary of Teknaf Land Port C&F Agents Association, told this newspaper that the detained vessel contained a variety of goods, including dried fish, coffee, betel nuts and cosmetics. 

More than 250 tonnes of dried fish were at risk of being spoiled while still on the vessel, he said.

Bahadur added that one importer had over 70 tonnes of pickles on board, destined for distribution in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram and elsewhere.

He mentioned that the vessels and boats coming from Myanmar to Teknaf pass through the Arakan region, which is currently under the control of the Arakan Army. To avoid this route, a new 20-kilometre waterway could be created through Teknaf Shah Peerir Island and Gholar Char, he suggested. 

"However, there is a navigation issue in a two-kilometre stretch of this route. If dredging is carried out in that area, it will make transportation of goods via this new route possible," he added.

Drastic fall in revenue

According to data from Teknaf land port and customs, in fiscal year 2022-23, revenue of Tk640 crore was generated from the import of 1,88,000 tonnes of goods.

In FY24, 68,000 tonnes of goods were imported, generating a revenue of Tk407 crore. In the first six months of FY25, imports amounted to only 11,000 tonnes, with a revenue of just Tk87 crore, down from Tk257 crore from import of 47,000 tonnes of goods a year ago.
BM Abdullah Al Masum, revenue officer of the Teknaf land port, said under normal circumstances, the port used to generate about Tk3 crore a day in revenue. "However, this has now dropped to almost zero," he said.