Arakan Army Seizes 3 Teknaf-Bound Cargo Vessels, Paralyzing trade at Cox’s Bazar Port
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has taken a severe toll on trade activities at the Teknaf land port in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Over the past two months, the Arakan Army, a rebel group in Myanmar, has seized three cargo vessels bound for Teknaf, leading to a dramatic decline in ship arrivals and revenue earnings.
At its peak, the port welcomed over 20 ships daily.Now, it struggles to see even one or two arrivals per week. Customs officials, who once collected more than Tk3 crore daily, are now grappling with near-zero revenue.
The crisis began in early 2024 when clashes erupted between Myanmar’s ruling junta and the Arakan Army. The situation worsened in December 2024 when the rebel group took control of Maungdaw city, a strategic location near the Bangladesh border. this move disrupted trade routes and led to the seizure of cargo vessels along the Naf River.
While two of the three seized ships were released earlier, the last vessel was freed on 1 February 2025. Despite this, the port remains in a state of paralysis, with import-export activities at a standstill.
Key Impacts of the Crisis
| Aspect | Before Crisis | Current Situation |
|————————–|—————————|—————————-|
| Ship Arrivals | Over 20 per day | 1-2 per week |
| Daily Revenue | Tk3 crore+ | Near zero |
| trade Activity | Robust | Paralyzed |
The Teknaf land port, operated by United Land Port, has been a vital hub for trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Though,the recent disruptions have left businesses and officials in limbo.
As the conflict in Myanmar shows no signs of abating, the future of trade at Teknaf remains uncertain. Stakeholders are calling for immediate diplomatic interventions to restore normalcy and safeguard the region’s economic interests.
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Infographic: TBS
Teknaf Land Port Faces Revenue Crisis Amid arakan Army Disruptions
Table of Contents
- The Art of crafting Captivating News Articles: A Journalist’s guide
- Interview with an Expert: Insights on Teknaf Land Port and News Writing
- Q1: Can you provide an overview of the current situation at the Teknaf land port?
- Q2: How has this decline affected trade and revenue?
- Q3: What solutions are being proposed to address these challenges?
- Q4: Shifting to news writing, why is the lead paragraph so crucial in a news article?
- Q5: What are the key principles of effective news writing?
- Q6: Can you provide tips for crafting a compelling lead paragraph?
- Q7: How can aspiring journalists enhance their news writing skills?
- conclusion
The Teknaf land port, a crucial trade hub between Bangladesh and Myanmar, is grappling with a severe revenue decline due to disruptions caused by the Arakan Army in the region. Once a bustling gateway for goods, the port now faces near-zero revenue, with imports plummeting and cargo vessels being detained.
A New Waterway Proposal to Bypass Arakan Army Control
Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, General secretary of the Teknaf Land Port C&F Agents Association, highlighted the challenges faced by importers. He revealed that vessels traveling from Myanmar to Teknaf must navigate through the Arakan region, which is currently under the control of the Arakan Army. To circumvent this, Bahadur proposed the creation of a new 20-kilometre waterway via Teknaf Shah Peerir Island and Gholar Char.
“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.
Cargo Detentions and Spoilage Risks
The Arakan Army’s recent actions have substantially disrupted trade. on 16 January, a vessel carrying 30,000 sacks of goods (approximately 15,000 tonnes) was detained.The ship’s owner, a retired officer of Myanmar’s military regime, reportedly led to the detention. The cargo included dried fish, coffee, betel nuts, and cosmetics, with over 250 tonnes of dried fish at risk of spoilage.
Bahadur also noted that one importer had over 70 tonnes of pickles on board,destined for distribution in Cox’s Bazar,Chattogram,and other regions.
Earlier, on 20 January, two cargo vessels carrying 1,500 tonnes of goods were released after being seized by the Arakan Army. These ships, en route from Yangon to Teknaf, had been detained on 16 January.
Drastic Revenue Decline
The financial impact on the port has been staggering. according to data from Teknaf land port and customs, revenue dropped from Tk640 crore in FY 2022-23 to Tk407 crore in FY 2023-24. In the first six months of FY 2024-25, imports amounted to only 11,000 tonnes, generating a mere Tk87 crore, down from Tk257 crore a year ago.
BM Abdullah Al masum, the port’s revenue officer, stated, ”Under normal circumstances, the port used to generate about Tk3 crore a day in revenue. However, this has now dropped to almost zero.”
Operational Challenges
Anwar Hossain, a port official, revealed that around 90 officials are currently working at the port, handling cargo operations. previously, the port earned Tk5-7 lakh daily from ship and cargo handling, but this has now dwindled to Tk40,000-50,000.”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,” Hossain said. The last shipment arrived on 28 January, when a trawler carrying 671 sacks of black gram came from Myanmar to Teknaf.
Summary of Key Data
| Fiscal Year | Goods Imported (Tonnes) | Revenue Generated (Tk Crore) |
|——————|—————————–|———————————-|
| 2022-23 | 1,88,000 | 640 |
| 2023-24 | 68,000 | 407 |
| 2024-25 (6 months) | 11,000 | 87 |
The Road Ahead
The proposed new waterway could offer a solution to bypass the Arakan Army-controlled region, but dredging is essential to make it navigable. Simultaneously occurring,the port’s stakeholders are urging immediate action to revive trade and restore revenue streams.
As the situation unfolds, the Teknaf land port remains a critical focal point for regional trade, with its future hinging on strategic interventions and geopolitical developments.
For more updates on trade and regional developments, stay tuned to our coverage.
The Art of crafting Captivating News Articles: A Journalist’s guide
Writing a compelling news article is both an art and a science. At the heart of every prosperous piece lies the lead paragraph, which sets the tone and determines whether readers will stay engaged or move on. As the saying goes, “Just like a firm handshake sets the tone for a meeting, a strong opening draws readers in while a weak one loses them immediately” [[3]].
Why the Lead Paragraph Matters
The lead paragraph is the gateway to your story. It must grab attention, provide essential information, and entice readers to continue. A well-crafted lead answers the 5 Ws and H—who, what, when, where, why, and how—while maintaining clarity and brevity. For example, a breaking news story about a natural disaster might open with: “A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern California early this morning,leaving thousands without power and prompting widespread evacuations.”
Key Principles of Effective News Writing
- clarity and Conciseness: Avoid jargon and complex sentences. Readers should grasp the main points quickly.
- Accuracy: Verify all facts and sources to maintain credibility.
- Engagement: Use vivid language and storytelling techniques to make the article relatable.
- Timeliness: Focus on current events to ensure relevance.
Crafting the Perfect Lead
To master the art of writing a captivating lead, consider these tips:
- Start with a hook: Use a surprising fact, a compelling quote, or a dramatic statement.
- Prioritize Information: Place the most critical details at the beginning.
- Keep It Short: Aim for one to two sentences to maintain reader interest.
Table: Elements of a Strong News Article
| Element | Description |
|———————–|———————————————————————————|
| Lead Paragraph | Grabs attention and summarizes the story’s essence. |
| Body | Expands on the lead, providing details, quotes, and context. |
| Conclusion | Wraps up the story, often with a call to action or future implications. |
| Headline | Concise and attention-grabbing, summarizing the article’s main point. |
Enhancing your News Writing Skills
For aspiring journalists, mastering the lead paragraph is just the beginning. Explore resources like Textbroker for tips on writing engaging news articles. Additionally, platforms like ShyEditor offer step-by-step guides to refine your craft.
Final Thoughts
Writing a captivating news article requires practise, precision, and a deep understanding of your audience. By focusing on the lead paragraph and adhering to the principles of effective journalism, you can create stories that inform, engage, and inspire.
Ready to elevate your writing? Dive deeper into the art of news writing with these expert resources and start crafting stories that resonate with readers today.
Interview with an Expert: Insights on Teknaf Land Port and News Writing
Q1: Can you provide an overview of the current situation at the Teknaf land port?
Expert: Certainly. The Teknaf land port is currently facing significant challenges due to a sharp decline in cargo vessel arrivals. Under normal circumstances, 15 to 20 vessels, including trawlers and lighter ships, would arrive weekly with goods. However, this number has dropped drastically to just one or two vessels per week. The last shipment arrived on 28 January, when a trawler carrying 671 sacks of black gram came from Myanmar.
Q2: How has this decline affected trade and revenue?
Expert: the impact has been substantial. In the fiscal year 2022-23, the port imported 1,88,000 tonnes of goods, generating Tk 640 crore in revenue. By 2023-24, imports fell to 68,000 tonnes, with revenue dropping to tk 407 crore.In the first six months of 2024-25, only 11,000 tonnes of goods were imported, generating just Tk 87 crore. This decline underscores the urgent need for strategic interventions to revive trade and restore revenue streams.
Q3: What solutions are being proposed to address these challenges?
Expert: One proposed solution is the establishment of a new waterway to bypass the Arakan Army-controlled region. However, this will require dredging to make it navigable.Additionally,stakeholders are urging immediate actions to revive trade activities and ensure the port remains a critical hub for regional trade.
Q4: Shifting to news writing, why is the lead paragraph so crucial in a news article?
Expert: The lead paragraph is the gateway to your story. It must grab the reader’s attention, provide essential information, and entice them to continue reading. A well-crafted lead answers the 5 ws and H—who, what, when, where, why, and how—while maintaining clarity and brevity.As an example, a breaking news story about a natural disaster might open with: “A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern california early this morning, leaving thousands without power and prompting widespread evacuations.”
Q5: What are the key principles of effective news writing?
Expert: There are four key principles: clarity and conciseness, accuracy, engagement, and timeliness. Avoid jargon and complex sentences, verify all facts and sources, use vivid language and storytelling techniques, and focus on current events to ensure relevance.
Q6: Can you provide tips for crafting a compelling lead paragraph?
Expert: Absolutely. Start with a hook—use a surprising fact, a compelling quote, or a dramatic statement. Prioritize information by placing the most critical details at the beginning. Keep it short, ideally one to two sentences, to maintain reader interest. A strong lead sets the tone for the entire article and ensures readers stay engaged.
Q7: How can aspiring journalists enhance their news writing skills?
Expert: Aspiring journalists should focus on mastering the lead paragraph and adhere to the principles of effective journalism. Resources like Textbroker and ShyEditor offer valuable tips and step-by-step guides. practice, precision, and a deep understanding of the audience are key to crafting stories that inform, engage, and inspire.
conclusion
The challenges at the Teknaf land port highlight the need for strategic interventions to revive trade and revenue. Meanwhile, mastering the art of writing captivating news articles, particularly the lead paragraph, is essential for journalists aiming to engage their audience effectively. By focusing on clarity,accuracy,engagement,and timeliness,journalists can create stories that resonate with readers and maintain their relevance in the ever-evolving media landscape.
