Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain has announced that the recently revised tariff at Chattogram Port will remain suspended for one month with the previous rate to be applied during this period.
He made the announcement on Saturday, September 20, during a workshop titled “Customs and Port Management: Problems, Prospects and Way Forward” held at the conference room of the Chattogram Port Authority.
“The decision has been taken in response to requests from the business community,” said the shipping adviser.
The revised tariff, which came into effect on September 15, will now remain suspended for the next month, and the port authority will continue collecting charges at the previous rate during this period.
Hossain also highlighted government initiatives to expedite the Bay Terminal project and enhance the use of facilities at Mongla Port and the Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD).
On September 14, the government had increased port tariffs through a gazette notification, raising fees by an average of 41% compared to the previous rates. The hike immediately drew strong opposition from various business associations.
Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Omar Faruk told TIMES of Bangladesh that, at the workshop held at Bandar Bhaban on Saturday, the shipping adviser announced that the new tariff would come into effect after one month. During this period, the port authority will collect charges at the previous rates.
