Shipping agents call for urgent review of Ctg port tariff hike
They say nearly 70% of revised tariff is excessive
The Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) has urged the shipping ministry for an urgent review of the revised tariff structure at Chattogram port, warning that the changes could damage the country's export competitiveness.
In a letter to the ministry's senior secretary today (18 September), BSAA Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif expressed "deep concern" over the abrupt rollout of the new tariffs, which took effect on 15 September.
He said the revision ignored stakeholder feedback and imposed "unprecedented" financial and operational pressures on the shipping sector.
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The letter recalled a 25 August meeting with the shipping adviser, where industry stakeholders had presented detailed objections to the proposals. "Despite deliberations aimed at fostering understanding, the final implementation disregarded these concerns," it noted.
According to the association, nearly 70% of the revised tariff schedule is excessive, especially on direct out-of-pocket expenses borne by shipping lines.
It added that the escalation follows years of steady increases: charges that stood at US$30–32 per unit in 1986 now exceed Tk120, with major adjustments made in 2007 and 2020.
The sector is already facing sharp cost hikes, including a 44% rise in private off-dock charges from 1 September, a 35% increase in berth operator rates, and a 20% tax imposition on imports.
Port congestion at Chattogram has compounded the problem, causing daily losses of US$15,000–20,000 per vessel from delays, alongside growing storage and equipment costs, it said.
The BSAA stressed that freight rates are often fixed in advance under long-term contracts, leaving operators unable to pass on the new costs. The abrupt changes, it warned, risk contractual breaches, eroded customer trust and a weakened market position for Bangladesh.
The letter further cautioned of knock-on effects across the supply chain, with higher expenses for importers and exporters threatening business viability and straining ties with foreign principals.
Calling for the ministry's "kind intervention," the association proposed phased implementation or constructive dialogue to ensure a more sustainable outcome.
With Chattogram port handling over 90% of Bangladesh's trade, industry insiders said the tariff dispute underlines growing pressures on the logistics sector amid broader economic challenges.
