The Bangladesh Maritime Law Society (BMLS) has served a legal notice to the Government of Bangladesh and the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), demanding the immediate cancellation of the new tariff hike at Chattogram Port.
The notice dated 13 October, 2025, was addressed to the secretaries of the Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and to the Chairman and Chief Finance and Accounts Officer of CPA.
BMLS, led by president Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, described the tariff hike as “illegal, arbitrary, and against the public interest” and called for its suspension within 72 hours.
Kadir warned that failure to comply would result in legal action to protect the public and national economic interests. He confirmed the legal notice, stating that according to the law, a gazette notification cannot be enforced within two months of its publication.
Kadir also raised concerns about the consultancy firm involved in determining the new tariff, saying it lacked experience in port management. The dispute arises from a circular issued by CPA, which exercises powers under the Chattogram Port Authority Act, 2022, introduced new tariffs effective 14 October, 2025.
The new tariff schedule raised the average charge per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) from Tk 11,849 to Tk 16,243, marking an increase of Tk 4,395 per container. Charges on imported containers rose by Tk 5,720, while export container charges climbed by Tk 3,045.
The tariff for loading and unloading containers increased from USD 43.40 to USD 68.00, a jump of USD 24.60 (approximately Tk 3,000). BMLS expressed concern that tariffs denominated in U.S. dollars could escalate costs for port users if the dollar appreciates against the taka.
BMLS also questioned the legitimacy of the consultancy process used to determine the new tariffs, citing a CPA letter from 22 November, 2021, which mentioned the engagement of M/S Idiom, Consulting, Engineering & Architecture, Spain JV, and M/S Logicform Limited, Dhaka.
The society argued that neither of the firms had experience in port management or operations, raising doubts about the integrity of the consultant appointment process.
The notice invoked Section 33(5) of the Port Act, 1908, which stipulates that any order imposing or increasing port dues cannot take effect until 60 days after publication in the official gazette.
BMLS claimed that the CPA’s decision to make the new tariffs effective 30 days after publication violated the law and should be considered “ultra vires.”
BMLS urged the government and port authorities to form a committee inclusive of all stakeholders to review and revise the new tariff schedule. Society warned that it would take the matter to court if the government and CPA failed to act within 72 hours.
