Ctg port tariff hike takes effect after gazette
The tariff has been hiked on average 40% after four decades
Chattogram port has increased tariffs on a wide range of services by an average of 40%, the first such rise in nearly four decades. The new rates took effect yesterday, following a government gazette notification issued late yesterday night (14 September).
Md Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), confirmed the enforcement of the revised tariff schedule. He, however, claimed that the hike would not significantly impact commodity prices.
"Importers currently spend Tk0.32 per kg of goods as tariff. With the new rate, they will have to pay up to Tk0.44 — a rise of Tk0.12. So, we believe it will not affect commodity prices or inflation much," he explained.
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The tariff rise marks a historic shift in the country's key trade gateway, one that risks slowing exports and driving up import costs at a time when businesses are already struggling with tight margins.
Business pushback ignored
The last time tariffs were raised at the country's premier seaport was in 1986. After almost 40 years, the interim government approved the increase despite strong opposition from port users.
The CPA had proposed the hike back in June, triggering protests from trade bodies and shipping agents. At a meeting convened by the shipping ministry on 25 August, port users argued that any tariff adjustment should remain within 10 to 15%.
But the final decision followed the CPA's proposal almost entirely, with no major concessions made.
"This will be a challenge for both importers and exporters," said Khairul Alam Sujon, vice president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association and director of the Shipping Agents Association.
"We urged a moderate rise, but the authorities went ahead with 40%. The additional burden will inevitably fall on businesses and eventually on consumers."
What has changed
The port currently collects tariffs under 52 service categories. Of these, 23 categories are directly affected by the new rates.
Container handling saw the sharpest jump. The handling fee for a 20-foot container rose from Tk11,849 to Tk16,243 — an increase of Tk4,395, or about 37%.
For container vessels, tariffs have increased by Tk5,720 for each import container and Tk3,045 for each export container. Handling charges for loading and unloading operations rose by around Tk3,000 per container.
Additionally, the tariff on containerised cargo went up from Tk1.28 per kg to Tk1.75 per kg.
