Despite ongoing efforts, three cargo vessels carrying 50,000 sacks of goods remain under the control of the Arakan Army as of Sunday evening, as the group reportedly demands a share in border trade.
The three cargo vessels were detained on Thursday while en route to Teknaf port from Yangon, Myanmar.
The seizure of Maungdaw town in Rakhine by the Arakan Army has paralyzed trade activities at Teknaf land port on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
According to officials, the obstruction of river routes by the Arakan Army has halted the arrival of cargo vessels at the land port.
Jasim Uddin, general manager of United Land Port Limited, the operator of Teknaf land port, said: "The cargo vessels have not yet been released by the Arakan Army. This incident has left traders in a state of fear. Trade was already disrupted due to the conflict in Myanmar, but this situation requires government intervention; otherwise, traders may abandon Teknaf."
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar escalated on December 8 when Maungdaw fell under the control of the Arakan Army.
Since then, no cargo ships have arrived at the port. The last vessel from Myanmar docked at Teknaf on December 3.
According to local traders, after a 45-day hiatus, three cargo vessels set out from Yangon on Saturday last week carrying goods for several Bangladeshi businesses.
On Thursday at noon, these vessels were detained in Myanmar’s waters near the Naf River estuary by the Arakan Army under the pretext of inspection.
The cargo includes pickles, dried fish, betel nuts, coffee, and other items, belonging to various traders such as Shawkat Ali, Omar Faruq, and Md Ayas.
Ehteshamul Haque Bahadur, general secretary of the Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association at Teknaf port, confirmed that the vessels remain under the control of the Arakan Army.
"We hope for a swift resolution. Goods worth around Tk30-40 crore are on those vessels, from which the government stands to earn significant revenue," he said.
He added: "Traders have been struggling due to the conflict in Myanmar. Many have paid dollars for goods but cannot retrieve them because of the war, resulting in losses. Some traders are considering shutting down operations in Teknaf."
Bahadur said the government must negotiate with Myanmar to ensure uninterrupted trade for mutual benefit.
Why were the cargo vessels seized?
Since the Arakan Army took control of a 271-kilometre stretch of the Myanmar border, traders have operated under constant fear.
The group has long sought to establish its own state and claim a share of trade revenue.
According to a local trader, the recent seizure of cargo vessels appears to be part of their effort to demand a share in the trade.
"The detained vessels' owners have been communicating with the Arakan Army, who initially promised to release them. Now they are demanding a share of the profits," the trader said.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury, president of the Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce, said the Arakan Army seeks to exploit trade through their territorial waters.
"The detained vessels were using their waters to reach Bangladesh, which the Arakan Army is now leveraging to demand commissions. This is not the first instance. To avoid further disruption, Myanmar’s traders and authorities need to negotiate a long-term solution," he added.
A trader who wished to remain anonymous said: "For vessels to reach Teknaf, they must pass through the Arakan Army-controlled waters near St Martin’s Island. Without permits, no cargo can cross the border. The Arakan Army is using this leverage to claim a share in border trade."
