A new tariff hike at Chattogram Port has officially come into effect from midnight on Tuesday, following a one-month suspension. The increase is being implemented despite strong objections from the trading community.
According to a notice signed by Mohammad Abdus Shakur, Chief Officer of the Finance and Accounts Department of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), all shipping agents listed at the port must now obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for vessels that have deposited the requisite charges at the revised rate with scheduled banks. The increased tariff, effective from 15 October, will be applied to all ships, containers, and cargo bills.
The notice further states that tariffs, tolls, fees, and charges will now be based on the dollar exchange rate, fixed at Tk 122 per dollar. Consequently, any rise in the dollar's value will lead to a corresponding increase in tariffs.
Port sources confirm that the revised tariffs are directly applicable to 23 of the port’s 52 service sectors, with an average increase of 41%. The highest hike has been imposed on container handling charges. The fee for handling a 20-foot container has risen from Tk 11,849 to Tk 16,243 — an increase of around 37%. Importers will now pay an additional Tk 5,720 per container, while exporters will incur Tk 3,045 more.
Traders have criticised the move, accusing the Ministry of Shipping and the CPA of jeopardising the country’s import-export sector to boost revenue. They claim foreign operators managing the terminals are likely influencing the tariff increases, and warn of negative economic impacts. Business leaders are calling for a review of the decision in consultation with stakeholders.
Port Secretary Omar Faruq noted this is the first toll adjustment since 1986 — nearly 39 years ago.
Fayaz Khandaker, former president of the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association, warned that the new tariffs could have a significant impact on trade.
