Chattogram customs cancels COSCO agent licence as per court order | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
May 18, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025
Chattogram customs cancels COSCO agent licence as per court order

Trade

TBS Report
03 October, 2019, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 03 October, 2019, 11:37 pm

Related News

  • Customs operations halted at Chattogram custom house amid customs staff's pen-down strike
  • Ctg Custom House earns Tk63,000cr in 10 months, sees 13.14% growth
  • Ctg customs to destroy 4,00,000kg imported fruits worth Tk70 lakh due to low auction prices
  • Md Zakir Hossain appointed as new commissioner of Chattogram Customs House
  • Chattogram Custom House resumes operations

Chattogram customs cancels COSCO agent licence as per court order

On September 25, Kazi Muhammad Ziauddin, additional commissioner and president (licence authority) of the Chattogram Custom House, cancelled the licence

TBS Report
03 October, 2019, 10:10 pm
Last modified: 03 October, 2019, 11:37 pm
File Photo: The Cosco Shipping Danube, a container ship of the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey August 11, 2018. Reuters/Murad Sezer
File Photo: The Cosco Shipping Danube, a container ship of the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey August 11, 2018. Reuters/Murad Sezer

The Chattogram Custom House has cancelled the licence of M/S Continental Traders, the local shipping agent of China's COSCO Container Lines Company Limited which appointed two agents at the same time violating custom guidelines.

On September 25, Kazi Muhammad Ziauddin, additional commissioner and president (licence authority) of the Chattogram Custom House, cancelled the licence. 

In compliance with a High Court order, he also asked M/S Continental Traders to refrain from handling COSCO ship and container.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

COSCO (Bangladesh) Shipping Lines Limited (COSCOBD) was the local shipping agent of COSCO.

On August 16, 2016, the custom issued a permission letter in favour of M/S Continental Traders in response to the latter's application for COSCO's Bangladesh agentship.

However, COSCOBD filed complaints against COSCO and M/S Continental Traders, alleging that COSCO signed the agreement with M/S Continental Traders without completing the Settlement of Accounts with it.

The custom guidelines issued on August 13, 2014, says: "The foreign principals cannot sign agency agreement with more than one legal agent at a time, and cannot appoint a new agent without executing a Settlement of Accounts with the existing agent."

Experts said if the settlement of the dispute was delayed, it would take tolls on importers.

"COSCO vessels have arrived in Bangladesh. If the problem is not resolved, the vessels will be stuck here and the importers will suffer as they will not be able to release their goods," explained Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association. 

"We request the authorities to either solve the problem or issue directives on how the COSCO products that have already arrived will be released," he said.  

Seaborne trades handle about three million TEUS (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers annually while M/S Continental Traders handle around 1.44 lakh TEU containers, said M/S Continental Traders sources. 

Ziauddin told The Business Standard: "I think the importers need not be worried as we have told M/S Continental Traders that it can handle the COSCO vessels that arrived before the cancellation letter was issued on September 25." 

"The solution to the long-standing dispute lies with COSCOBD and M/S Continental Traders. They should solve the issue for the sake of business and the importers," he said.

A COSCO vessel arrived at Kutubdia point of outer anchorage on September 29, and no directive on releasing goods from it has been issued yet.     

How the dispute began

When COSCOBD lodged complaints against COSCO and M/S Continental Traders in 2016, the custom house cancelled the permission of M/S Continental Traders. 

That year, M/S Continental Traders filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging cancellation of its licence and the custom house guidelines on appointment of local agent. The court gave an interim order in favour of M/S Continental Traders, saying that cancellation of its licence was illegal. 

After the court order, the custom again issued M/S Continental Traders licence on August 16, 2016. 

COSCOBD challenged the interim order and filed a writ petition that year. The High Court then cancelled the interim order on June 5, 2017.

After the cancellation of the interim order, M/S Continental Traders filed a civil petition for leave to appeal.

However, the Appellate Division on July 7 this year dismissed the civil petition and upheld the High Court judgment.

Economy / Top News

COSCO / COSCOBD / Chattogram Custom House

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    India halts import of Bangladeshi garments, processed foods via land ports
  • Infographic: TBS
    Govt borrows Tk1.08 lakh crore from commercial banks in 11.5 months of FY25
  • Salahuddin addressing a youth rally titled ‘Tarunner Odhikar Pratistha Shomabesh’ at Khulna Circuit House ground on 17 May. Photo: Collected
    BNP's Salahuddin accuses interim govt of siding with NCP

MOST VIEWED

  • Efforts to recover Dhaka’s encroached, terminally degraded canals are not new. Photo: TBS
    Dhaka's 220km canals to be revived within this year: Dhaka North
  • Screenshot of Google Maps showing the distance between Bhola and Barishal
    Govt to build longest bridge to link Bhola, Barishal
  • New telecom licensing regime in June 
    New telecom licensing regime in June 
  • Representational image. Photo: Freepik
    Country’s first private equity fund winding up amid poor investor response
  • BGB members on high alert along the Bangladesh-India border in Brahmanbaria on 16 May 2025. Photo: TBS
    BGB, locals foil BSF attempt to push-in 750 Indian nationals thru Brahmanbaria border
  • Banks struggle in their core business as net interest income falls
    Banks struggle in their core business as net interest income falls

Related News

  • Customs operations halted at Chattogram custom house amid customs staff's pen-down strike
  • Ctg Custom House earns Tk63,000cr in 10 months, sees 13.14% growth
  • Ctg customs to destroy 4,00,000kg imported fruits worth Tk70 lakh due to low auction prices
  • Md Zakir Hossain appointed as new commissioner of Chattogram Customs House
  • Chattogram Custom House resumes operations

Features

With a growing population, the main areas of Rajshahi city are now often clogged with traffic. Photo Credit: Mahmud Jami

Once a ‘green city’, Rajshahi now struggling to breathe

6h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Cassettes, cards, and a contactless future: NFC’s expanding role in Bangladesh

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

The never-ending hype around China Mart and Thailand Haul

1d | Mode
Hatitjheel’s water has turned black and emits a foul odour, causing significant public distress. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Blackened waters and foul stench: Why can't Rajuk control Hatirjheel pollution?

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 17 MAY 2025

News of The Day, 17 MAY 2025

5h | TBS News of the day
New program announced; NBR officials and employees extend pen break program

New program announced; NBR officials and employees extend pen break program

6h | TBS Today
India or the United States: Where is the iPhone factory more profitable?

India or the United States: Where is the iPhone factory more profitable?

2h | Others
How Bangladeshi Workers lost $1.3b in remittance fees, exchange rate volatility in 2024

How Bangladeshi Workers lost $1.3b in remittance fees, exchange rate volatility in 2024

7h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net