On Sunday, Bangladeshโs busiest seaport, Chittagong Port, came to a sudden halt. A strike by customs officials stopped all container movement, affecting thousands of shipments. The port usually handles 7,000 to 8,000 containers daily, but on June 29, not a single one moved. This disruption is part of an ongoing protest by staff at the National Board of Revenue (NBR). They are unhappy with a government plan to split the NBR into two separate bodies. As a result, port operations were completely shut down, causing serious delays in trade and exports. The impact on the economy is huge. Bangladesh is the worldโs second-largest garment exporter, and about 80% of its exports come from the textile and garment sector. Mahmud Hasan Khan, who leads the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, stated that the industry may lose $222 million due to the strike. โMany factories risk going bankrupt,โ he warned. However, within the chaos, a glimmer of hope can be found. This situation shows how important it is to modernize port logistics. Experts say that digital systems could help reduce the impact of such strikes in the future. For example, automated customs checks and digital cargo tracking could keep goods moving even when staff are unavailable. Startups in Bangladeshโs logistics and software sectors are already working on solutions. Some are developing apps that allow real-time tracking of shipments. Others are building platforms that connect exporters with alternative transport options during emergencies. One such startup, based in Dhaka, is testing a system that uses artificial intelligence to predict delays and suggest backup plans. If adopted widely, these tools could make ports like Chittagong more resilient. Academics and engineers are also joining the effort. Universities are offering new courses in supply chain technology, and engineering students are designing smart port models as part of their final-year projects. The strike has caused serious problems, but it also offers a chance to rethink how Bangladesh handles trade. By investing in digital logistics and encouraging innovation, the country can protect its economy from future disruptions. As the government and NBR staff work toward a solution, the focus should also be on building a smarter, more flexible port system. That way, even in times of crisis, Bangladesh can keep moving forward.
