Chattogram Port enforces new tariff despite strong opposition from stakeholders
The discussion on raising charges began in 2022 but was delayed under the previous Awami League government
The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has begun implementing the new tariff structure, which increases service charges by up to 41%, from early morning today (15 October), despite strong objections from business and transport stakeholders.
From the first minute of the day, all trucks, covered vans, trailers, and prime movers entering the port were charged Tk230 per entry, up from Tk57 – a near fourfold jump.
"The decision has been imposed on us without consultation," said Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, secretary general of the Bangladesh Covered Van, Truck and Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association.
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"We handle nearly 85% of all goods transported through the port. Before raising entry fees, the authority should have sat with us. Instead, they made this unilateral move, which is unacceptable," he said.
He warned that the decision could lead to unrest if not reviewed, adding, "We strongly protest this arbitrary action and urge the authority to suspend the new fees and hold discussions with stakeholders."
The daily gate pass fees for C&F and shipping agents have also jumped – from Tk15 to Tk115, a more than sixfold increase.
Khairul Alam Sujan, vice president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association and a director of the Shipping Agents Association, told The Business Standard that the CPA issued a notice on 13 October confirming the changes.
"The gate pass fees are already being charged at the new rate, while the rest of the tariffs will reflect in bills from tonight or tomorrow," he said.
CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk confirmed that the new tariff would only apply to ships berthing after 12:01am today. "It won't affect vessels that berthed before that time," he said, adding that gate pass fees have been implemented smoothly.
How the decision came about
Chattogram Port currently collects charges under 52 categories, with the new tariff increasing rates in 23 of them.
The discussion on raising charges began in 2022 but was delayed under the previous Awami League government.
After the interim government took office, Spanish consultancy Idom reviewed operations and tariffs at 17 major global ports, including 10 in Asia. Based on its recommendations, the CPA submitted a revised tariff proposal to the shipping ministry in June this year.
Later, the finance ministry approved it on 24 July, followed by clearance from the law ministry.
However, a meeting on 25 August at the shipping ministry saw port users and business leaders strongly oppose the proposal. Despite that, the government published the new tariff gazette on 14 September. The new rates were set to be effective from 15 September.
But, after protests at a CPA workshop on 20 September, Shipping Affairs Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain postponed implementation for a month.
Once the deferment expired, CPA announced the new tariff would take effect from 12:01 am on 15 October, through a notice signed by Chief Finance and Accounts Officer Md Abdus Shakur on 30 September.
Business backlash
Ahead of the implementation, business leaders and port users held a protest meeting in Chattogram on 12 October, organised by former Chittagong Chamber director and Seacom Group Managing Director Mohammad Amirul Haque.
At the meeting, former chamber president Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury questioned the interim government's authority to increase tariffs and called for suspension until a consensus is reached with the business community.
"...Ultimately, it's the people – not traders – who will bear the cost. The port must adopt a cost-based tariff system," he said.
BGMEA First Vice President Selim Rahman said, "Operating costs at Chattogram are already higher than in Vietnam, India, or Malaysia. This 41% hike will hit the apparel industry hardest. I've never seen the port make a loss in 29 years, so why the need for such a steep rise?"
On 14 October, Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury wrote to the chief adviser, urging intervention and a temporary suspension of the new rates. He called for a rational tariff structure developed through consultation with shipping agents, importers, exporters, and other stakeholders.
"Chattogram Port isn't just a port – it's the heart of Bangladesh's economy," he wrote. "Any policy change here has far-reaching implications for trade, industry, power, and foreign currency earnings."
On the same day, Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) served a legal notice on the government and CPA, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the circular enforcing the new tariffs.
Signed by BMLS President Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, the notice described the CPA's 30 September circular as "illegal, arbitrary, and inconsistent with the Port Act."
The organisation demanded the circular's withdrawal within 72 hours and called for a transparent, multi-stakeholder review committee to reassess the tariff.
Shipping lines seek phased hike
Earlier, the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA) urged the authorities to roll out the tariff hike at Chattogram Port in phases, warning that the abrupt increase could weaken Bangladesh's export competitiveness and push cargo to regional ports.
In a letter dated 9 October 2025, BCSA Chairman Harun-Ur-Rashid appealed to the CPA and the shipping ministry to adopt a gradual adjustment plan and defer the implementation deadline to 30 June next year.
The BCSA termed the move "unjustified" and said it could undermine the stability of the country's maritime trade.
The BGMEA and the FBCCI also backed the appeal, saying the hike would raise operational costs for exporters who are already struggling with volatile global demand.
